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Home My WebLink AboutAPA1722U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE WORKS AND STRUCTURES Highways and roads Good motor Poor motor Trail Highway marker, state .................... . 0 Rail road, single track Buildings School Church Mines and Quarries Pits, gravel or other Cemetery CONVENTIONAL SIGNS BOUNDARIES Nat1on al or state County Project area Land division corners T + Reservation Land grant Sma ll park. cemetery, airport DRAINAGE Streams, double-line Pere nnial ........................... ~ Intermittent ........................ -:;::;::::=:::::.:::~:·.·:.::= Stre ams, singl e-line Perennial ............................ __..,....·--.......-.~·- Intermittent Crossable with til lage implements ..................... _.,.-··--·--.. __..,....··--....... No t c rossable wi th ti llage ....----··· _ ... /···- implements ................... .. Unclassified ___. .... -...... .... --····-- CANAL Canals and ditches .................. . Lakes and ponds Perennia l ........................... . Intermittent ....................... .. Wells, w ate r ........................... . o + flowing Spring .................................. . '\ Marsh or swamp ..................... .. Wet spot .............................. . ,,, Alluvial fan ............................ . -···-... -···~ Drainage en d ........................ . ----·-.-·-- RELIEF Escarpments Be drock Other "H'un''''"'""""'""'''" Prominent peak Large Small Depressions, unclassified ~:~:;~ MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SOIL SURVEY DA TA So i I boundary and sy mbol Grav el '11> 0 0 8o Stony, very stony Rock ou tcrops Chert frag men ts Clay spot Sand spot ... Gumbo or scabby spot Ma de land Severe ly eroded spot B lowou t, wind erosion v Gu lly SYMBOL AcC AcE AhA AnB AnC AnD An E BbA BbB BbC BbD BdA BdB BdC BdD Bd E Bk F Cl Co Cs Ct De A DeB DeC DkD DkE DkF FhA FhB FhC FhE Go Gp HoA HoB HoC HoD HoE HoF HsA HsB HsC HsD HsE HsF JoA JoB JbD JbF KoA KoC KoE KeB KnA KnB KnC KnD KnE KnF Mo Ml Mr ALASKA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION SOIL LEGEND The f irst capitol l etter Is the init ial one o f the soil nome . A second capitol letter, A, B, C, D, E, or F, shows the slope. Mo s t symbol s without o s l ope letter ore t hose of nearly l eve l soils or land types, but some ore for land types that hove o considerable range In slope. NAME Anchorage sand, und ulating to rolling Anchorage sand, hi ll y to steep Anchorage s i lt loam, near ly l e vel Anc hor age very fine sand y loom, und ulating Anchorage very fi ne sandy loo m, ro ll ing Anchorage very fi n e sandy loam, h i lly Anc hor age very fine sandy lo o m, moderate ly steep Bodenburg silt loam, nearly l evel Bodenburg s il t loom, undu lat ing Bodenburg silt loom, rolling Bod enb urg silt loam, hilly Bodenburg very f ine sandy loom, nearly l eve l Bodenburg very fine sandy loom, undu lating Bodenburg very fine sandy loom, roll ing Bodenburg very fine sandy loom, hilly Bodenburg very f ine sandy loom, moder ately steep Bodenburg and Knlk si lt l ooms, steep C l unie peat Coa l Creek s il t loom Coo l Creek s tony s ilt loom Chene sl it loam Doone s i It loom, nearly level Doone silt loom, undulating Doone s ilt loom, ro ll ing Doone and Kn i k s il t looms, hil ly Doone and Kn ik s i It looms, moderately steep Doone and Kn ik s il t looms, steep F lat Horn s i lt loom, nearly level F lat Horn s i l t loom, und ulating F la t Horn si l t loom, ro ll ing F lat Horn s ilt loam, h i ll y to steep Gravelly alluvial land Grovel pits and Strip m ines Homestead si lt loom, nea rly level Homestead silt l oom, undu lating Homes t ead s il t loam, rolling Homestead si lt loom , h il ly Homestead s il t l oom, mod e rate ly steep Homes te ad silt loom, steep Homestead silt l oom, v e ry sha llow, nearly level Homestead silt loom, very shallow, undu lat ing Homestead silt loom, v e ry shal lo w, rolling Ho me stead silt loom, very shallow, hi ll y Homestead s i lt l oom, very shal low, moderately steep Homestead si lt loam, very shal low, s teep Jacobsen very s ton y s i It loom, nearly leve l Jacobsen very ston y silt loom, gentl y s loping Jim and Bodenburg si lt looms, h i ll y Ji m and Boden burg s i It looms, steep Kalifons ky s il t l oom, nearly level Kal ifon s ky s il t loom, gentl y to modera tely s lop in g Kal ifonsky s ilt l oom, strongl y s lop ing to ste ep Kena i s ilt loom, und u lating Knik silt loom, nearly le v el Knlk s il t loom, und ulating Knik s ilt loom, roll in g Knik slit loom, hilly Knik silt loom, moderat e ly steep Kn lk silt loom, s teep Motonusko silt loam Mixed olluvlol land Moose R iv er silt loom SYMBOL NoA NaB NaC NoD NoE NpA Np B NpC NpD NpE NpF Ns Nv Re Rm Sa Sf ShA Sh B Sl Sm Sn SpA SpB Su Sv SwA ToE T e Tf T m ToA T oB ToC ToO TpB TpC TpD TpE Wa NAME Nancy silt loom, n early leve l Nancy silt l oom, undu lati ng Nancy s i lt loom, rolling Nancy si lt loom, h i lly Nancy s i It loom, moderate ly steep Noptowne s i lt loom, nearly level Noptowne silt loo m, undulating Noptowne silt loom, ro ll i ng Noptowne si lt loom, h il ly Naptowne si lt loom, moderat e ly steep Nopto w ne sl It loom, steep Nikl ason silt loom Nikl oson very fine sand Reedy s i It loom Rough mountainous l a nd Solomotof pe at Solamotof peat, ever frozen vari ant Schrock silt loam, nearly level Schrock silt loam, undul a t ing Seo c l iffs Sl ikok mucky silt loom Slikok s tony mucky s i lt loom Spenord silt loom, nearly level Spenord s il t loom, gently s l o p ing Sus itno silt loam Susit n o very fine sand Susitno and Nikl ason very fine sands, overf low, 0 to 3 percent slopes Talkeet na s i lt loom, moderately steep to steep Terrace escarpments Tidol flots Tida l marsh Torpedo L a ke s i It loom, n early level Torpedo Lake s i l t loom, gently slopi ng Torpedo Lake si l t loam, moderately s l oping Tor pedo L ake s i It loom, strongly s loping Torpedo Loke-Homesteod silt looms, undulating Torpedo L ake-Homestead silt looms, roll ing Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt looms, hilly Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt looms, moderately steep Wasilla s il t l oom Soil mop constructed 1966 by Cartographic Division, Soil Conservation Service, USDA, from 1958 aerial photographs. Control led mosaic on universal transverse Mercator pro jection based upon C larke 1866 spheroid, 1927 North American datum . sheet 43 N MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SCALE IN MILES 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 I.! .! Contents Page General nature of the area ____________________ _ 1 Descriptions of the soils-Continued Geology __________________________________ _ Geological deposits _______________________ _ Climate in relation to soil use ________________ _ 1 . N ~ptowne s~ries ___________________________ _ 1 N 1klason senes ____________________________ _ 2 Reedy series _______________________________ _ Precipitation ____________________________ _ Temperature ____________________________ _ VVinds __________________________________ _ 2 Rough mountainous land ___________________ _ 3 Salama tof series ___________________________ _ 4 Schrock series _____________________________ _ Vegetation ________________________________ _ Vegetation in forested areas _______________ _ Vegetation in unforested areas _____________ _ Farming __________________________________ _ History, settlement, and industry ____________ _ How this survey was made ____________________ _ 6 Seacliffs _______________________ :_ __________ _ 6 Slikok series _______________________________ _ 6 Spe_nard se:ies _____________________________ _ 7 Sus1tna senes ______________________________ _ 7 Talkeetna series _________ ~ _________________ _ 7 Terrace escarpments ________________________ _ General soil map _____________________________ _ 8 Tidal flats _________________ __. __________ -~ ___ _ 1. Boden burg association __________________ _ 9 Tidal marsh _______________________________ _ 2. Doone-Knik association _________________ _ 3. Homestead association __________________ _ 9 Torpedo Lake series ________________________ _ 9 VV asilla series ___ '-__________________________ _ 4. Homestead-Knik association _____________ _ 5. Homestead-Jacobsen association ____ ~~'---- 6. Homestead-Nancy association ___________ _ 7. Knik-Coal Creek association _____________ _ 9 Management of soils for crops and pasture ______ _ 10 Lan~ .cle3;ring ________ --' ____________________ _ 11 FertilizatiOn _____________________ '-_________ _ 11 Irrigation _______________ '-__ '-___________ :.: ____ _ 8. Naptowne-Spenard association ___________ _ 9. Salamatof-Jacobsen association __________ _ 10. Torpedo Lake~Homestead association _____ _ 11. Tidal Marsh-Clunie associatio'n __________ _ 12. Susitna-Niklason association _____________ _ 11 Suitable crops __ ---------------------------- 11 Estimated yields __ ~-----____________________ _ 12 Capability groups of soils ____________________ _ 12 Management groups _______________________ _ 13 Wildlife ______________________________________ _ Descriptions of the soils ______________________ _ Anchorage series ___________________________ _ Boden burg series ___________________________ _ Chena series _______________________________ _ Clunie series _______________________________ _ 13 Soils in engineering ___________________________ _ 15 Engineering soil classification systems _________ _ 16 Estimated properties of the soils _______________ _ 18 Engineering interpretations of the soil properties_ 18 Soil test data ______________________________ _ Coal Creek series __________________________ _ 18 Formation and classification of the soils _________ _ Doone series _______________________________ _ 19 Factors of soil formation ____________________ _ Flat Horn series ___________________________ _ 20 Parent material __________________________ _ Gravelly alluvial land ______________________ _ Gravel pits and Strip mines _________________ _ Homestead series __________________________ _ 21 Climate _________________________________ _ 21 Living organisms __________________________ _ 21 Relief_ ______________ --~-________________ _ Jacobsen series ____________________________ _ 23 Time--------------------~---------------Jim series _________________________________ _ 23 Classification of the soils ____________________ _ Kalif?nsk;r series ___________________________ _ Kenai senes _______________________________ _ 24 Entisols __________________________________ _ 24 Histosols _________________________________ _ Knik series ________________________________ _ Ma tan uska series __________________________ _ Mixed alluvial land ____ --------------------- 25 Inceptisols ________________________________ _ 26 Spodosols _________________________________ _ 26 Literature cited _______________________________ _ Moose River series _________________________ _ 26 Glossary ____________________________________ _ Nancy series ______________________________ _ 27 Guide to mapping units _______________ Following 1.0 co 1.0 NOTICE TO LIBRARIANS ....... I 0 1.0 Series year and series number are no longer shown on soil surveys. See explanation on the next page. ARLIS Page 28 29 29 30 30 30 31 31 31 32 32 33 33 33 33 34 35 35 35 36 36 37 40 41 46 48 49 49 49 62 64 64 64 64 64 64 64 64 65 65 65 65 66 66 67 0 0 0 1.0 1.0 I""- (") Issued June 1968 Alaska Resources Library & lnformatton Servtces Anc:1hot~~~ Alaska (") ~e§AGLE RlVEFf n EXPLANATION SERIEs YEAR AND SERIES NUMBER Series year and number were dropped from all soil surveys sent to the printer after December 31, 1965. Many surveys, however, were then at such advanced stage of printing that it was not feasible to remove series year and number. Consequently, the last issues bearing series year and number will be as follows: Series 1957, No. 23, Las Vegas and Eldorado Series 1960, No. 31, Elbert Co~ty, Colo. Valleys Area, Nev. (Eastern Part) Series 1958, No. 34, Grand Traverse County, Series 1961, No. 42, Camden County, N.J. Mich. Series 1962, No.13, Chicot County,Ark. Series 1959, No. 42, Judith Basin Area, Mont. Series 1963, No.1, TippahCounty,Miss. Series numbers will be consecutive in each series year, up to and including the numbers shown in the foregoing list. The soil survey for Tippah County, Miss., will be the last to have a series year and series number. ~OIL SURVEY OF MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA BY DALE B. SGHOEPHORSTER FIELDWORK BY DALE B. SCHOEPHORSTER, JAMES A. DEMENT, JOHN A. FERWERDA, ROBBIE L. FLOWERS, ORVILLE L. HASZEL, JAMES H. LEE, WILFRED J. SHEEHAN, AND CHARLES M. THOMPSON, SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE, IN COOPERATION WITH THE ALASKA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION THE MATANUSKA. VALLEY AREA is a part of the Cook Inlet-Susitna Lowland of south-central Alaska (fig. 1). The Area includes approximately 700 square miles of land within .the Palmer and Wasilla Soil Conservation Subdistricts. It is bounded on the north by the Talkeetna Mountains, on the east by the Chugach Mountains, and on the south by waters~ of the Knik River, Knik Arm, and Cook Inlet. On the west it borders the Susitna Valley Area. The principal centers of population are the city of Palmer and the villages of Wasilla, Willow, and Sutton. Numerous cabins, business establishments, and homes are concentrated around Big Lake and several of the other larger lakes. The rural population is generally located near roads and highways. Several fairly large tracts in the southwestern and western parts of the Area are almost roadless and very sparsely settled. According to the U.S. Census, the total population of the Matanuska Valley Area in 1960 was about 5,138. General Nature of the Area Two large glacier-fed streams, the Matanuska River and the Knik River, flow from the east and empty into tidal water at the head of Knik Arm. In the northeastern extension of the survey Area, the Matanuska River flows through a narrow valley bordered on each side by steep mountains. Between the braided flood plains of the river and the mountain foot slopes are a series of terraces interrupted by steep escarpments, V -shaped valleys, and hilly moraines. To the south and west, the valley opens to a broad lowland that makes up the major part of the survey Area. Although most of this lowland lies between 150 and 500 feet above sea level, extreme elevations in the Area range from sea level at the tidal flats along Knik Arm to about 2,000 feet on mountain foot slopes. Broad, nearly level alluvial plans border the braided flood plains of the lower Matanuska River and the Knik River. Rising above these low-lying tracts are a series of broad, nearly level terraces that extend to rolling and hilly glacial moraines and outwash plains, which domi- nate the central and western parts of the Area. Poorly drained muskeg~, lakes, and small streams are also fea- tures of the landscape in most sections of the Area. Broad, nearly level tidal plains border much of Knik Arm and Cook Inlet. Geology The e11:tire Matanuska Valley Area has been glaciated several times (5).1 As a result, most of the bedrock is buried beneath thick deposits of glacial drift and alluvial sediments. These deposits are made up largely of loose, coarse, sandy and gravelly material. N ea;r Goose Bay a~d south~ast of Houston, however, there IS a belt of rollmg morames that consist mostly of moderately firm and firm glacial till. Weathered shale underlies a ·thin deposit of firm till on a few benchlike ridges near Houston. Thick beds of sand and gravel de- posited by glacial rivers and streams form broad nearly level and un~ulating terraces in the eastern part of the Area. Bordermg the Matanuska and Knik Rivers there , a_re nearly level alluvi!tl plains that. consist. largely _of silty and fine sandy sedrments underlam by thick deposits of gravel and stones. Less extensive tracts of alluvial soils also border most of the smaller rivers and streams. The tid~l plains along Knik Arm consist of silty and clayey sediments. Almost the entire Matanuska Valley Area is covered with a mantle of loess derived from the barren flood plains of glacier-feel streams (11, 13). Large amounts of wind~low~ material like that in figure 2 are still being deposited m places along the Matanuska and Knik Riv- ers. Adjacent to these streams are dunelike bluffs where wind-laid material is dominantly sandy and as lnuch as 50 feet thick. Within short distances from the source, how- ever, the mantle thins out rapidly and is dominantly silty. Within a mile or two of the source, the loess mantle is about 30 inches thick. Westward, it gradually thins out to about 10 inches. Near the western boundary of the Area, however, the loess mantle again is thicker and evi- dently consists of older deposits that probably were de- rived from the flood plains of the Susitna River and its major tributaries. Geological deposits Large deposits of gravel and sand, suitable for road construction a~d for concrete, occur throughout most of the Area. Bituminous coal is being mined near Sutton, and explorations for oil have recently been made in sev- eral parts of the Area. A deposit of marl near Wasilla is 1 Italic numbers in parentheses refer to Literature Cited, p. 66. 1 2 SOIL SUHVEY ~: I I I I * State Agricultural Experiment Station FAIRBANKS • I I \ I I \ I I \ I I \ I I \ I I \ Figure I.-Location of Matanuska Valley Area in Alaska. used on a small scale for agricultural purposes. Laro-e peat deposits are common in muskegs, but thus far the~e have not been utilized on a commercial scale. Several o-old mines are located nearby in the Talkeetna Mountains, 0 but at present these mines are inactive. Climate in Relation to Soil Use 2 . The climate of the Matanuska Valley Area reflects the combined influence of latitude, nearness to the ocean and the presence of I~earby mountains. Climatic data from four weather statwns m the Matanuska Valley Area are shown in. table 1. • This section was prepared by C. E. WATSON, regional climatolo- gist, U.i.S. Weather Bureau, Anchorage, Alaska. Precipitation . The Chugacl~ Mom~tains to the east have the strongest,:: mflum~ce _on chmate m ~hat par~ of ~he Area. They are .: an efl:ectlve shelter agamst moist air movino-in from ' t~le east and southe~st, and most of the. precipitation car-r ned by easte:·ly wmds falls on the wmdward slopes of ;: these n:oun~ams. Apart from the shelterin<Y effects, the : moun tams mfluence the development of· $howers and sometimes, thunderstorms durii1g the growiilg season: Although such showers are generally limited to the m~mntamous areas,. they affect the . amount of rain re- ceived by the foothills and nearby areas. It is not uncom- mon for: s_om~ loc~l ar.eas t() rece~ve an abundant supply. of preciplta~lOn lll sho:vers while .nearby areas suffer from a defiCiency of moisture. · · · ""1 1 j 1 l\IIATANUSKA VA LLEY AREA, ALASK..~ 3 Figure 2.-Small amounts of loess originatiltg on the flood plains of the Knik and l\l atanuska Rivers are deposited annua lly on Boden- burg and Knik soils. To the west, toward the flatlands of the l ower Susitna Valley, the sheltering effect of the mountains diminishes rapidly. The westem edge of the Area may receive pre- cipitation from almost any inland movement of air up Cook Inlet, and the southerly winds bring abundant rain- fa]]. Consequently, precipitation in the west is heavier and more uniform throughout the year than in the east- ern part of the Area. Precipitation in the Area is seldom excessive for crop needs. In the eastem part of the Area, which is the major farming section, the average annual precipitation is only about 16 inches. Precipitation i s especially light in the early part of the g r owing season. This is partly offset by moisture in the soil from thawing and from melting snow, but a moderate to sever e mOisture deficiency may develoJ? in June and July. During this period sprinkler irrigatwn generally improves crop yields. Precipitation is heaviest in late summer and early autumn. Artificial driers are needed for hay and grain harvested during this tin1e of year. Temperature Cold air drainage down steep motmtain slopes . and through canyons affects the temperature of the Mata- nuska Valley, especially the eastern part. T his downslope movement of air, however, does not a lways result in colder temperature. While cold air drainage brings freez- ing temperatur e to some areas, it prevents local radia- tion in other areas from driving the temperature below freezinfio·. The areas most exposed to col d air clrainage, especia y to canyon drainage, escape the freezes that occur in spring and fall in other areas where the air is calm and heat leaves the soil_through radiation. Table 2 shows, for four weather statwns, the average dates for the beginning and the end of periods during which tem- perature is equal to or above 24, 28, or 32° F . These data indicate that, as a rule, the shortest freeze-free seasons occur in a r eas farthest from the mountains, such as the Susitna station in the west, or at higher elevations, such as the Chickaloon station in the extreme northeast. The probability of having seasons of various lengths in which the temperatUI·es will not fall below stated lim- its i s shown in figures 3 and 4 . The probabilities in figure 3 arc based on r ecords from 1921 through 1963. Those in figure 4 a r e based on r ecords from 1942 through 1963. This information i s u seful to farmers and other s operat- ing outdoor enter prises. For example, in 5 out of 10 years, or 50 per cent of the time, one can expect a season of 108 clays in which the temperature will not drop below 32 degrees at the Matanuska Agricultural Experiment Station; however, a season of 125 clays in which the temperature does not drop below 32 degrees can be ex- pected in only 1 year out of 10, or 10 percent of the time. 4 SOIL SURVEY TABLE I.-Temperature and precipitation Matanuska Agricultural Experiment Station 1 Palmer 1 North 2 (elevation-220 feet) (elevation-150 feet) Month Temperature Precipitation Temperature Precipitation Average Average Average Average Average Average Average Average Average Average maximum minimum oF. oF. oF. Inches January _________________ 12. 1 21. 0 3. 1 0.90 February ________________ 18.8 27. 7 9.8 . 73 March __________________ 24.6 34.0 15.2 0 43 ApriL __________________ 37. 1 46.7 27.5 0 39 May ____________________ 47.2 58.0 36.3 . 74 June ____________________ 55.4 66.7 44.0 1. 30 July ____________________ 57.7 68.8 46.5 2.24 August __________________ 55.4 66.0 44.8 2.90 September _______________ 47.7 . 56.9 38.5 2.39 October _________________ 35.6 43.8 27.4 1. 59 November _______________ 21. 9 29.5 14.3 1. 01 I>ecember _______________ 13.2 21. 5 4.9 . 92 AnnuaL __ ----------35.5 45.0 25.9 15.54 1 Precipitation and temperature are based on 30 years of record, 1931-1960, inclusive; snowfall is based on 36 years of record through 1962. snowfall maximum minimum snowfall Inches oF. oF. oF. Inches Inches 9.0 14.6 21.6 7.5 1. 09 12.9 8.6 18.7 27.7 11. 7 0 68 11. 1 6.4 24.4 33.8 15.0 0 57 9.2 2. 3 36.4 46.2 26.5 0 51 3.3 .2 47.5 58.6 36.4 .64 0 6 0 54.7 65.9 43.5 1. 58 0 0 57.4 67.4 47.3 2.41 0 0 55.2 64.9 45.5 3.31 0 .2 47.7 56.7 38.6 2.56 .2 3.6 35.2 42.7 27.7 1. 39 6.2 7.4 20.9 27.7 14.0 0 83 9.6 9.7 13.5 20.6 6.4 0 85 11. 2 47.4 35.6 44.5 26.6 16.42 64.3 2 Precipitation is based on 20 years of record through 1963; snow- fall on 18 years through 1963; and temperature on 21 years through 1963. TABLE 2.-Average dates for beginning and end of seasons during which temperature is equal to or above that specified Matanuska Agricultural Palmer 1 North Susitna 1 Chickaloon 2 Experiment Station (21-year record) (11-year record) (8-year record) (42-year record) Tempera- ture Num-Num-Num-Num- Beginning Ending date her Beginning Ending date ber Beginning Ending date ber Beginning Ending date ber date of date of date of date of days days days days oF 24 April 22 Oct. 3 164 April 21 Oct. 7 169 May 17 Sept. 22 128 MayS Sept. 22 137 28 May6 Sept. 18 135 April 30 Sept. 26 149 June 1 Sept. 11 102 May28 Sept. 11 106 32 May 25 Sept. 10 108 May 12 Sept. 13 124 June 9 Aug.23 75 June 23 Aug. 28 66 1 The Susitna station was closed July 1933. 2 The Chickaloon station was closed July 1947. Similar probabilities for seasons at the Palmer station are shown in figure 4. Winds The rugged terrain surrounding the Matanuska Valley affects wind movement as well as precipitation, especially in the eastern part near Palmer. The strongest winds are those moving out of the canyons of the Knik and Mata- nuska Rivers. They are seasonal, and most pronounced from late in February to April. The seasonal character- istics are caused largely by the high-pressure systems that develop in, or move into, western and northwestern Alaska. The winds have several important effects upon agricul- ture. Winter wind-s,_moving down the Matanuska VaHey, may remove the snow cover from unprotected cultivated fields and may carry away much of the surface soil~ even when it is frozen. Strong winds, locally referred to as Matanuska and Knik winds, may come early in spring after cultivating and early planting have started, when the soil is extremely vulnerable to blowing. At times they remove early seedings almost completely, and replanting becomes necessary. Windbreaks are needed to control this blowing. Downslope winds normally are low in humidity and have a pronounced drying effect on exposed fields. Early in spring, winds that are channeled downslope rapidly dry out some areas but leave less exposed areas too wet for cultivation. -, .. MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 5 ,·~in the Matanuska Valley Area, Alaska ., ' '}: Chickaloon 3 (elevation-929 feet) ' ! ', •: Temperature Precipitation ... ~ Average Average Average Average Average maximum minimum snowfall \_: / oF. oF. oF. Inches Inches 8. 1 17.0 0.9 0.87 11. 2 ' 13.6 23.5 3.7 1. 03 12.6 19.8 30.3 9.2 1. 19 13.4 31. 1 42.2 19.9 . 41 3.0 :;· 44.7 57.0 32.3 . 38 (5) 53.3 66.6 39.9 1. 06 (5) 56.2 68.0 44.3 1.73 0 54. 1 65.3 42.8 1. 91 0 ... 45.4 56.2 34.5 2.32 . 1 33.2 41.5 24.8 1. 18 5.4 ;: 19.2 26.8 11. 5 . 77 7.6 10.8 18. 7 2. 9 .94 15.4 32.5 42.8 22. 1 13.79 68.7 :' ); .. 3 Premp1tat1on and snowfall are based on 11 years of record :through 1933; temperature is based on 13 years of record through 1933; station closed July 1933. · · 4 The Susitna station is on the Susitna River about 15 miles west PROBABILITY (PERCENT) '99 98 275 95 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 v I' v ~ [/ v v v v v v v ./ ..,;"" ~ v v v v v v ~ t~•r:/ v ..,;"" """' / ~ / ~ v / v ~ ........-: 'l.~·y v / 250 225 200 ~ .,;' / ,.. v """' v '!.~ v ~ ~ ...,. [.......-- v / ! ......... ....- / ~ / E!~ ~ / v v v ,_.....-v 5.- :z: t; i'5 125 .,., 100 50 Figure 3.-Probable number of days per year that temperature will . not drop below specified degrees at Matanuska Agricultural Ex- periment Station, Matanuska, Alaska. Susitna 4 (elevation-50 feet) Temperature Precipitation .Average Average Average Average Average maximum minimum snowfall oF. oF. oF. Inches Inches 12.6 22.8 2.4 1. 38 14.5 22. 1 31.2 13.0 1. 28 10.1 23.3 34.9 11. 7 1. 16 9.8 36. 1 48.0 24.2 .88 2.3 45.8 59.6 32.1 1. 45 .6 55.4 69.4 41.4 1. 69 0 58. 1 70. 1 46.2 2.55 0 55.3 65.7 45.0 5.51 0 47.1 56.6 37.6 5.07 0 36.2 44.2 28.2 3.46 3.8 22. 1 31. 0 13.2 1. 82 10.4 14.6 24.3 4.9 1.71 12.3 35.7 46.5 24.9 27.96 63.8 of the survey Area. Premp1tatwn and snowfall are based on 14 years of record through 1947; temperature is based on 12 years of record through 1947; station closed July 1947. 5 Trace. PROBABILITY (PERCENT) 275 99 98 95 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 "' >- 250 225 200 e175 z 5l ""' UJ "' 150 u.. 0 :z: I- t:> ffi 125 .,., 100 75 50 """' ::::: ~ v v fo""" ~ -v ,..., -V ,..., \~>•r·v i"'" ~~ 1--- ~ ,..., ~ .....-r ,..., ~ ~ ,..., !-'" _....- ~ v v l..---' !----" l....-' I--' +- 1---1--" v v ~ ~ .....-v ~ ~ ~ ....-- ~ ~ v j.....-o' v j....oo- v -~ -,..., Figure d.-Probable number of days per year that temperature will not drop below specified degrees at Palmer, Alaska. 6 SOIL SURVEY Vegetation 3 Most· of the Matanuska Valley Area is forested. The type of forest, the age and density of stands, and the rate of growth vary depending upon such factors as forest fire history, soil characteristics, topography, and cutting practices. Vegetation in forested areas Paper birch, white spruce, and quaking aspen are the dominant trees on well-drained uplands. Cottonwood (balsam poplar) is common on alluvial plains and ter- races along rivers and streams. Black spruce grows on some muskegs and other poorly drained sites and on a few upland areas that have been severely burned. The climax forest on well-drained uplands is the white spruce type. Once established, it is believed to be self perpetuating and to remain unchanged unless destroyed by fire or cutting. In the oldest stands of white spruce, the largest trees seldom exceed a height of 85 to 100 feet and a diameter of 20 to 24 inches at breast height. In stands of white spruce that are 160 to 180 years old, the average height is generally 50 to 60 feet and the diam- eter 8 to 12 inches. These stands generally have from 300 to 500 trees per acre and yield 3,900 cubic feet or 15,500 board feet per acre . Although the white spruce type is the climax forest of the Area, only small, isolated stands remain, as most of the mature trees have been cut during the past half cen- tury. The white spruce-paper birch and white spruce- quaking aspen types are now far more common on the uplands. There are also some almost pure stands of birch and aspen. All of these forest types represent stages in the forest succession after a fire or an open cutting. The most pommon forest now in the Area is a mixture of paper birch and white spruce. The proportion of each species in a stand varies. Willow and Sitka alder grow in the understory in some places; and quaking aspen also grows in many places. The plants that make up the major part of the subordinate vegetation in stands of the white spruce-paper birch type are given in the following list. Asterisks indicate the most common plants. SuBORDINATE VEGETATION IN THE WHITE SPRUcE-PAPER · BmcH FoREST TYPE Shrubs SCIENTIFIC NAME *Corn us canadensis _________________ _ Empe~ru"!'-nigrurr:----______________ _ Menz~esw ferrugmea _______________ _ * Ribes triste ________________________ _ *Rosa acicularis ____________________ _ *Rubus pedatus _____________________ _ Sorbus scopulina ___________________ _ *V accinium vitis-idaea _______________ _ *Viburnum edule __________ --~-______ _ COMMON NAME Bunchberry dog- wood. Crowberry. Rusty menziesia, buck brush. American red currant. Prickly rose, wild rose. Fiveleaf bramble, trailing raspberry. Greenes mountain- ash. Lingenberry, low- bush cranberry. Mooseberry vi- burnum, high- bush cranberry. 3 This subsection is based largely on the work of Lutz (8). Forbs SCIENTIFIC NAME Arenaria laterijlora _________________ _ *Comandra livida ___________________ _ Dryopteris austriaca ________________ _ *Dryopteris disJuncta ________________ _ *Epilobium angustifolium ____________ _ *Equisetum arvense __________________ _ Equisetum pratense _________________ _ *Goodyera repens var. ophioides _______ _ H abenaria obtusata _________________ _ * Linnaea borealis var. americana ______ _ * l.istera cordata ____________________ _ *Lycopodium annotinum _____________ _ * Pyrola asarijolia var. incarnata ______ _ * Pyrola secunda _________________ ---- Pyrola virens (syn. P. chlorantha) ____ _ Streptopus amplexifolius ____________ _ *Trientalis europaea ssp. arctica ______ _ Grass C alamagrostis canadensis ____________ _ Mosses C'OMMON NAME Bluntleaf sand- wort. Northern co- mandra. Spreading wood- fern. Oakfern. Fireweed. Field horsetail. Meadow horsetail. Creeping rattle- snake plantain. Bluntleaf ha- benaria. American twin- flower. Northern listera. Bristly clubmoss. Alpine pyrola. Sidebells pyrola. Green pyrola. Claspleaf twisted- stalk. Arctic starflower. Bluejoint reed- grass. Dicranum fuscescens Drepanocladus uncinatus *Hylocomium splendens *Hypnum crista-castrensis (syn. Ptilium crista-castrensis) * Pleurozium schreberi *Polytrichum commune Lichens *Peltigera aphthosa var. typica * P eltigera menbranacea All of these plants and the trees have a shallow root system. Most of the roots grow in the thin mat of forest litter, mosses, lichens, and fungal mycelia on the surface of the soil. Because most of the trees have shallow roots, there is a windthrow hazard around clearings. . On the poorly: drained sites that are forested, black spruce, willow, alder, and balsam poplar are the principal trees. Black spruce grows in a solid forest that covers many acres on some muskegs. Although some of these trees are more than 200 years old, they are seldom more than a few inches in diameter or more than 20 feet tall. Paper birch and some scattered white spruces also grow on some of these poorly drained sites. Tall grass and sedge, horsetail and fireweed, and shrubs such as bog birch (Betula glandulosa) and Labrador-tea (Ledum palustre, ssp. groenlandicum) form a dense ground cover, especially where the forests tend to be open. A mat of moss as much as 12 inches thick covers the surface in most poorly drained places. Vegetation in unforested areas Most of the treeless areas are muskegs, tidal plains, and openings on mountain foot slopes. Sphagnum moss is the principal vegetation in unforested muskegs. On the moss, there is commonly a dense growth of low woody plants, chiefly Labrador-tea, bog birch, dwarf willow, crow- berry, bog blu~berry (Vaccinium uligino-sum), and cloud- berry (Rubus chamaemorus). Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolittm) also occurs in places. Black spruce grows MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA 7 '~ in many muskegs, either as small isolated trees or as dense .,,, clumps surrounded by open muskeg. The vegetation in grassy openings on elevated benches and mountain foot slopes above 1,000 feet is mostly blue- joint reedgrass. Fireweed and other forbs are also common ;· in these areas. Dense thickets of alder, devilsclub ( Oplo- panaw horridus) , and willow are interspersed with the patches of grass and forbs, and they are dominant along . many of the small drainageways. The vegetation on clayey soils of the tidal plains con- sists mostly of sedges ( 0 arew spp.), forbs, and grasses. This vegetation is described in detail by Hanson (3). Tidal fiats that are inundated regularly by high tides ·ordinarily have no plant cover. Farming Early prospectors and settlers of the Area had prac- tically no interest or experience in farming, but small- \ scale farming began about 1900, mainly in the form of gardening by villagers and roadhouse operators, who sold surplus vegetables to miners ·and prospectors. Some native hay was also harvested for horses that were used in haul- ing freight. As mining expanded and the population increased, the demand for farm products increased. By 1914 about 300 acres of land had been cleared and a number of settlers interested primarily in farming were establishing home- steads. Potatoes and other vegetables were the major crops, and some oats were raised for horse feed. A Matanuska Farmers' Association was organized in 1915. Farming activities expanded following the construe- > tion of the Alaska Railroad and the establishment of an ·experimental farm near Matanuska by the Alaska Agri- cultural Experiment Station. During the 1920's most of the homesteaders in the Area relied on other employment to supplement farm income, but a few of them became successful farmers. Dairy cattle and machinery were , brought in, and this led to greater diversification and a more stable farm income. The greatest single impact on farming in the Area ·· .. , came in 1935 with the development of the federally spon- sored Matanuska Colony. In the spring of that year, 202 families numbering about 900 persons, mostly from the · north-central States, were moved to the Area and began intensive farm development near Palmer. A few of these · ·. original colonists expanded their operations and formed the nucleus of what is now the most highly developfd agricultural area in Alaska ( 4) . In 1963 the farm income of the Area was nearly 70 percent of the State's total farm income. Dairying and truck farming were the most important farm enterprises. More than 60 percent of the farm income was from milk. Potatoes were the most valuable cash crop. Poultry products, beef and veal, and some pork provided income for a few farmers. The total cropland harvested in 1963 was a little more than 12,000 acres (9). The crops and acreage were approximately as follows: Grasses for hay and silage, 5,300 ·acres; oats, barley, and mixtures of small grains for hay, silage, and feed~ 6,200 acres; potatoes, 400 acres; 263-309--67----2 cabbage, carrots, and lettuce, 115 acres; radishes, celery, and other vegetables, 25 acres. History, Settlement, and Industry Fur trading was the principal enterprise in Alaska during the period of Russian settlement, 1741 to 1867. Except for fur trading with the Athabascan Indians, the -:Matanuska Valley Area was virtually untouched and unexplored during this period. After the purchase of Alaska by the United States in 1867, conditions remained generally stagnant until the discovery of gold in the upper Cook Inlet Region in 1896. This marked the begin- ning of white settlement in the Matanuska ·Valley Area. The first major center of population was located at Knik, where a trading post was established rubout 1900 and a post office in 1905. This village was a major point of departure for prospectors and miners. Many trails, several of them still evident, radiated from Knik to places in the interior. The best known of these was the Iditarod Trail, a 364-mile route through Rainy Pass, in the Alaska Range, to Flat, which was the center of mining activities in the Kuskokwim Mountains. Knik continued as the transportation and trading center of the Area and reached a peak population of about 700 in 1915. During this early period of settlement, a number of homesteads were estab- lished around Knik and along the radiating trails. When the Alaska Railroad was constructed in 1916, it bypassed Knik, and the trade ·and population shifted .. to the new villages of Wasilla and·Matanuska, which were along the railroad right-of-way. Also that year, a railroad siding was constructed at the present site of Palmer on a branch line to the Chickaloon coalfields. Soon afterward, a post office was established there. Mining camps and trading centers were also established at Chickaloon, Sut- ton, Eska, Houston, Pittman, and Willow. In 1935 a group of families, known as the Matanuska Colony, settled on the land surrounding Palmer, and Palmer soon became the major business and population center of the Area (4). Nearly all of the Matanuska Valley Area now has access to electric power, telephones, and transportation. Modern schools are located at Palmer, 'iV asilla, and Wil- low, and rural schools are in several other communities. Roads serve most of the rural' communities, and major highways connect the Area with Anchorage, Fairbanks, and other cities in the State. Although farming is the principal enterprise in the Area, coal mining and tourist trade are also important. Coal mines operate near Sutton, and various businesses that serve tourists are located throughout the Area. Until recently, forestry in the Area consisted chiefly of small logging operations and sawmills that supplied building logs, mine timbers, and some lumber to local markets. Recently a larger sawmill was established near Wasilla. How This Survey Was Made Soil scientists made this survey to learn what kinds of soils are in the Matanuska Valley Area, where they are located, and how they can be used. 8 SOIL SURVEY As they traveled over the Area, they observed steepness, l~ngth, and .shape of slopes; size and speed of streams; kinds of native plants or crops· kinds of rock; and many facts about the soils. They dug' many holes to expose soil profiles. A profile is the sequence of natural layers, or horizons, in a soil; it extends from the surface down into the parent material that has not been changed much by leaching or by roots of plants. The soil scientists made comparisons among the profiles ~hey studied, and they compared th~se profiles with t~ose m areas nearby and in places more distant. They classified and named the soils according to uniform procedures. To use this survey efficiently, it is necessary to know the kinds of groupings most used in a local soil classification. Soils that-have profiles ;almost alike make up a soil series. Except for different texture in the surface layer, the major horizons of all the soils of one series are similar in thickness, arrangement, and other important charac- teristics. Eac;h soil series is named for a town or other geographic feature near the place where a soil of that series was first observed and mapped. Bodenburg and Knik, for example, are the names of two soil series. All the soils in the United States having the same series name are essentially alike in those characteristics that affect their behavior in the natural undisturbed landscape. Soils of one series can differ somewhat in texture of the surface soil and in slope, stoniness, or some other characteristic that affects use of the soils by man. Many soil series contain soils that differ in texture of their surface layer. According to such :differences in tex- ture, separations called soil types are made. Within a s~ries, all the soils having a surface layer of the same texture belong to one soil type. Bodenburg silt loam and . Bodenburg very fine sandy loam are two soil types in the '' Boderrburg series. The difference in texture of their sur- face layers is apparent from their names. Some soil types vary so much in slope, degree of ero- sion, number fund size of stones, or some other feature affecting their use, that practical suggestions about their management could not be made if they were shown on the soil map as one unit. Such soil types are divided into phases. The name of a soil phase indicates a feature that affects management. For example, Bodenburg silt loam, rolling, is one phase of Bodenburg silt loam, a soil type that has a slope mnge of nearly level to hilly. After a guide for classifying and naming the soils had been worked out, the soil scientists drew the boundaries of the individual soils on aerial photographs. These pho- tographs show woodlands, buildings, field borders, trees, and other details that greatly help in drawing boundaries accurately. The soil map in the back of this survey was prepared from aerial photographs. The areas shown on a soil map are called mapping units. On most maps detailed enough to be useful in planning management of farms and fields, a mapping ~it is nearly equivalent to a soil type or a phase of a sOil type. It is not exactly equivalent, because it is not practical to show on such a map all the small, scattered bits of soil of some other kind that have been seen within a~ area that is dominantly of a recogniz~d soil type or sOil phase. In preparing some detailed maps, the soil scientists have a problem of delineating areas where different kinds of soils are so intricately mixed or occur in individual areas of such small size that it is not practical to show them separately on the map. They show such a mixture of soils as one mapping unit and call it a soil complex. Ordinarily, a soil complex is named for the major kinds of soil in it, for example, Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams. Another kin:d of mapping unit is the undifferentiated group,. which consists of two or more soils that may occur together without regularity in pattern or relative proportion. The individual tracts of the component soils could be shown separately on the map, but the differ- ences between the soils are so slight that the separation is not important for the objectives of the soil survey. An example is Doone and Knik silt loams. Also, on most soil maps, areas are shown that are so rocky, so shallow, or so frequently worked by wind and water that they scarcely can be called soils. These areas are shown on a soil map like other maping units, but they are given descriptive names, such as Gravelly allu- vial land or Terrace escarpments, and are called land types rather than soils. -while a soil survey is in progress, samples of soils are taken, as needed, for laboratory measurements and for engineering tests. Laboratory data from the same kinds of soils in other places are assembled. Data on yields of crops under defined practices are assembled from farm records and from field or plot experiments on the same kinds of soils. Yields under defined management are esti- mated for all the soils. But only part of a soil survey is done when the soils have been named, described, and delineated on the map, and the laboratory data and yield data have been assem- bled. The mass of detailed information then needs to be organized so that it will be readily useful to different groups of readers, among them farmers, ranchers, man- agers of woodland, engineers, and homeowners. Group- ing soils that are similar in suitability for each specified use is the method of organization commonly used in the soil survey. On the basis of the yield and practice tables and other data, the soil scientists set up trial groups. They test these groups by further study and by consulta- tion with farmers, agronomists, engineers, and others, and then adjust the groul?s according to the results of their studies and consultatiOn. Thus, the groups that are finally evolved reflect up-to-date knowledge of the soils and their behavior under present methods of use and management. General Soil Map The general soil map at the back of this survey shows, in color, the soil associations in the Matanuska Valley Area. A soil association is a landscape that has a distinc- tive pattern of soils. It normally consists of one or more major soils and at least one minor soil, and it is named for the major soils. The soils in one association may occur in another, but in a different pattern. A map showing soil associations is useful to people who want a general idea of the soils in an area, who want to compare different parts of an area, or who want to know the location of large tracts that are suitable for a certain kind of farming or other land use. Such a map MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALA SKA 9 is not suitable for p l anning the management of a farm or field, becau se t h e soils in any one association ordinarily differ in slope, depth, stoniness , drainage, and other characteristics that affect mana~ement. Following are descriptions ot the 12 soil associations in this Area. 1. Bodenburg association Gray, well-draitned, silty or very fine sandy u p land soils that are d eep over sand and gravel Broad, nearly level and undulating plains, broken by a few narrow terrace escarpments, low ridges, and scat- t er ed hills, are characteristic of this soil association, which covers some 20 square miles near Palmer. Bodenburg silt loam and Bodenburg very fine sandy l oam, the major soils in this asso ciatwn, formed in a mantle of grayish wind-laid material 2% to 10 feet thick over water-worked sand and gravel. Boclenburg silt loam, the most extensive soil , is mostly on the plains but also occupies a few hills and escarpments. Bodenburg very fine sanely loam commonly is nearer the Matanuska River than the silt loam. Adjacent to flood plains of the Matanuska River are a few sanely, stabilized, clunelike hills and ridges of Anchorage sand. Also included in this association are minor areas of somewhat poorly drained Kalifonsky soils in slig;ht depressions and a few poorly drained so ils in small, scattered, low-lying sites. This soil association is the most intensively farmed p art of the Matanuska Valley Area (fig. 5). Dairying is the principal farm enterprise, but ve~~tab le farming. on a commercial scale is also important. lVlo st of the nearly l evel and undul ating so ils are cultivated; the steeper so ils are forested. This association is in the path of strong, gusty winds that occasionally reach ~ale velocity as they funnel from the upper reaches of t11e Matanuska River and Knik River valleys. Consequently, unprotected cultivated soils a r e subject to blowing. 2. Doone-Knik association B rown to grayish-brown, well-drained, silty-upland soils that are deep to shallow ovm· sand and gravel This soil a ssociation i s on high, nearly level to undulat- ing terraces broken by many steep escarpm ents and roll- ing to h illy moraines. These terraces border the Boclen- burg soil s north of Palmer and extend northeastward up the Matanuska River valley, several miles beyond Sutton. Doone soil s, which are the most extensiv e, formed in 30 to 48 inches of silty wind-laid material over l oose sand. Knik soils occupy about 25 percent of the associ- ation. They forme d in 12 to 24 inches of silty material over loose coarse sand and gravel and are generally on higher terraces and slopes farther from the Matanuska River t han the Doone soils. Homestead soils are on a f ew of the highest terraces and slopes. Poorly drained soils occur in scattered d epressions and along minor drainage- ways. Many farms are scattered on the n early level to rolling tracts of land. They are commonly separated by ridges, r avines, or other rough terrain. Most of them are dairy farms (fig. 6), but a few are vegetable farms. Figure 5.-An aerial view of farms on Rodenburg soils a few miles south of Palmer. The major soils in this association p roduce good yields if fertilized and otherwise properly managed. Cultivated fi elds are subject to blowing by the strong northeasterly winds. Paper birch, quaking a spen, and white spru ce are the principal forest t rees . In places these trees are of mer- chantabl e size. The tmderstor y con si sts of many kinds of shrubs and plants u seful primarily for wildlife. 3. Homestead association B 1·own, well-drained, silty ~6pland soils that are shallow over sand and grav el This soil association i s on a broad, nearly level out- wash plain in the southwestern part of the Area. It is the largest tract of nearly l evel land within the sur v ey boundary. Homestead soils make up more than 75 percent of the a ssociation. These soils formed in a mantle of wind-laid silty materia l 10 to 18 inches thick over loose coarse sand and gravel. They are slightly deeper than Homestead soil s rn other parts of the Area. Included in t h e association are small, widely scattered areas of Sal amatof peat in poorly drained depressions. Most of t he a ssoci ation is sparsely settled, n early road- less, and al:n;10 st entirely forested, although Homestead soils are suitable for farming. T h e forest consists mainly of paper birch, quaking aspen, white spruce, and an understory of willows, alder, and l ow-growing shrubs. Merchantable stands of paper birch are fairly common. 4. H omest ead -Knik association B r own t o grayish-b1·own, well-dmined, silty upland so ils t hat a1·e shallow ove1• gravel and sand Hilly moraines, high terraces, and benchlike ridges bordering motmtain foot slopes make up this association. It is in t he eastern a nd northea st ern parts of the Area. Homestead soils, which are dominant, formed in a mantle of silty l oess 10 to 15 inches thick over coarse g r avelly materi aL Knik soils gener a lly are at slightly lower el evation s than Homestead soils. They formed in 10 SOIL SURVEY Figure 6.-Dooue-Knik association. Dairy cattle gr azing a field of bt·omegrass. a thicker mantl e of lo ess and have a less prominent sub soil. Included in the association are small areas of poorly drained, very shallow, stony soils on narrow flood plains and alluvial fans along small st r eams that flow from the mountains. Mo st of the acreage i s forested because much of the terrain i s too ste ep and rough fo r farmino-. In places there !n·e stands of merchantable paper birch and white spruce. There are a few sc attered farms, mo stly dairy farms, on some of the more nearly l evel terrain. 5. Homestead-Jacob sen association B 1·own : 1oell-dmined, silty upland soils that are shallow m· very shallow over g1Ylmel and sandj and d arlc -gray , ve1·y JJ oorly d1·ained stony soils in dep1•essions This association is the most extensive in the Area. It form s a brond belt that extends from the vicinity of Wasilla westward to the boundary of the Area. It i s cha racterize d by nearly level outwash plains as much as several square miles in extent, and by kames, eskers, and rolling to steep moraines. It i s al so dotted with lakes and mu skegs. Homes t ead soils, which are dominant, are on nearly level to steep, irregular hills and ridges . They formed in 5 to 15 inches of lo ess over gravelly material. The ver y stony, poorly clr·ainecl Jaco bsen soils are common along streams and drainageways and in low-lying sites bordering mu skegs. Salamatof peat occupies most of the musk egs . Deep, well drained to moderatel y well drain ed Schrock soil s occur on narrow terraces that b.orcler some of the streams, and Mixed alluvial land i s common on the low-lying flood plains. Also included are tracts of sandy Anchora~e soils on stabilized dunes along Knik Arm, Fish Creek, and Big Lake. Most of the l and i s in homesteads that are in early stages of development. L arge tracts are too steep, too sh allow, or too poorly drained for farming and are cov- ered with forest or other native vegetation. Scattered .fiel ds and clear ings are common, however, on the well- drained, nearly level to rolling soils, which are genera lly best suited to crops that r equire only shallow tillage. Perennial g r asses are the chief crops, but oats and barley are also grown. Forests in various stages of growth cover more than 60 percent of this association. The age and the dominant species of the stands depend l argely upon the extent of damage clone by forest fires. P aper birch, quaking aspen, and white spruce are dominant on well-drained si tes. ] e f t t d s s· MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 11 In places the trees are merchantable. Dense forests of slow-growing black spruce are common on poorly drained sites, includmg some muskegs. Most of the muskegs, however, are nearly treeless and are covered with moss, sedges, and low-growing shrubs. Some of the burned-over areas support a dense growth of brushy vegetation that provides excellent browse for moose and habitats for other kinds of wildlife. Many of the larger lakes are used for boating, camp-- ing, fishing, swimming, and other recreation. 6. Homestead-Nancy association Brown to reddish-brown, well-drained, silty upland soils that are shallow or moderately deep over gravel and sand This soil association is in the northwestern part of the Area. It is made up of hilly moraines, benchlike ridges, ~-and high terraces. Many lakes, streams, and muskegs add to the complexity of the landscape .. Homestead soils and Nancy soils are almost· equal in extent and have a wide range of slope. Both are well drained, and both formed in silty loess over gravelly . material. Homestead soils are shallower to gravel than Nancy soils, which formed in 16 to 30 inches of silty loess and have a redder subsoil. Among the minor soils is poorly drained Salamatof peat, which is in scattered muskegs. Other minor soils are poorly drained Slikok, Torpedo Lake, and Jacobsen soils along drainageways and streams and in depressions. Most of this association is forested, but there are a few homesteads along the roads. The few fields are used mainly for hay or pasture. Much of the acreage is too sloping, too shallow, or too poorly drained for farming, but scattered tracts of Nancy soils are nearly level to rolling and are suitable for· crops grown in the Area. The Homestead soils that are not too sloping are gen- erally suited to crops that require only shallow tillage. Forests in this association are in various stages of growth, depending chiefly upon their fire history. Paper birch, white spruce, and quaking aspen are the dominant trees. In places, the trees are of merchantable size. Some of the more recently burned sites support dense patches of seedlings and willows that provide excellent browse for moose and habitat for other kinds of wildlife. 7. Knik-Coal Creek association Grayish-brown, well-drained, silty upland soils that are shallow over sand and gravel; and dark-gray, poorly drained soils in depressions . Small, gently undulating plains, hilly moraines, steep ridges, scattered lakes and depressions, and many small streams form the landscape of this association. Knik soils are well drained and are nearly level to steep. They formed in a mantle of silty loess 15 to 24 'inches thick over water-worked gravelly material. In gen- eral, these soils occupy a broad belt between the soils that formed in deep material recently deposited by wind near the Matanuska River and the soils that formed in older, thinner deposits of silty loess farther west. The poorly drained Coal Creek soils are in numerous small depres- sions, drainageways, and low areas bordering small streams. Patches of poorly drained Slikok mucky silt loam are in seepage areas and drainageways, and Salamatof peat is in scattered muskegs. Somewhat poorly drained Kali- fonsky soils occur in a few shallow depressions and on a few slopes shaded from direct sunlight. · Nearly all of the land in this association is privately owned. Farms and homesteads are in various stages of development. More than 50 percent of it is wooded, as much of it is too steep or too poorly drained for cultiva- tion. Most of the cleared land is on well-drained, nearly level to rolling terraces and plains. Oats, barley, and perennial grasses are the principal crops, but potatoes and other vegetables are also grown. Paper birch, quaking aspen, and white spruce are the dominant forest trees. The forest stands vary greatly in age, depending mainly upon their fire history. Some of the trees are merchantable, but there are large areas of seedling and saplings. These areas are brushy and are especially beneficial for wildlife. Many cabins, summer homes, and permanent dwellings are located on the shores of the larger lakes. 8. Naptowne-Spenard association Brown and dark-gray, well~drained and somewhat poorly drained, silty upland soils that are moderately deep to very shallow over glacial till Glacial moraines are interspersed with low, nearly level muskegs in this association, most of which is in the southwestern part of the Area. The well-drained N aptowne soils, which are dominant, are on undulating to moderately steep, irregular slopes. They formed in a shallow to moderately deep mantle of silty loess underlain by fairly firm gravelly glacial till. In places they are stony near the surface. The somewhat poorly drained Spenard soils are in broad drainageways and in nearly level and gently sloping areas bordering muskegs. Salamatof soils, which are fairly extensive in this association, are in the muskegs. Most of this association has been homesteaded in recent years, but many scattered tracts are still publicly owned. More than 70 percent of it is forested, and mu0h of it is too steep, stony, or wet for cultivation. Cleared fields are widely scattered and confined mostly to the less strongly sloping areas of N aptowne soils, which are generally suitable for crops, though .stony in places. Artificial drainage is required for the Spenard soils if they are used for crops. In general, the forests in this association are relatively mature. Paper birch, quaking aspen, and white spruce are dominant on the well-drained soils; black spruce is common on the poorly drained soils. In places, there are merchantable birch and quaking aspen, but the white spruce is widely scattered, and the .. black spruce is of little commercial value. The forest understory provides food and cover for many kinds of wildlife, but in gen- eral it is not so suitable for browsing as the understory in other areas where fires were more recent. 9. Salamatof-Jacobsen association Very poorly drained, deep peat soils; and stony, very poorly drained soils on flood plains This soil association occurs on several broad, nearly level, very poorly drained muskegs in the western part of 12 SOIL SURVEY the Area. Except for scattered patches of stunted black spruce, these muskegs are treeless. They commonly have a thick surface covering of sphagnum moss and support shrubs, sedges, and scattered clumps of grass. Salamatof peat is the dominant soil. Under a thick surface mat of living moss, this soil consists of coarse, extremely acid, yellowish-brown peat that ranges from 30 inches to many feet in thickness. Jacobsen soils occur around muskegs or along drainageways that flow through- them. They are acid and are ve r y stony. A few small patches of poorly drained Moose River soils are also scattered in these l ow areas. The soils of this associa.tion are not suitabl e for the crops commonl y grown in the Area, and artificial clrain- age is not feasible. Except in isolated places, the vegeta- tion is not suitable for grazing, but it is useful as food and cover for wilcUife. Figure 7 is a view of a typical muskeg in this soil association. 10 . To r pedo Lake-Homestead association Da;rlc-col01·ed, poo1•ly dmined soils along dminageways / and b1·own, ·well-d1·ained, silty soil s that are shallow 01' ver1.J shallow ove1· sand and gravel This soil association is on the foot slopes of the Talk- eetna Mountains in the north-central part of the Area. It is characterized by a compl ex pattern of many, small, nearly level to strongly sloping drainageways and seep age spots separated by small, well-d r ained ridges and knolls. The e]e,·ation ranges from 500 to 1,500 feet above sea Figure 7.-S tream meandering t h rough a poorly drai~ed muskeg occupie d by Sal arnatof peat a nd Jacobs en ve ry stony s 1l t loa m. In the backg round are fore s t e d uplands occupie d mainly by Homestead soils. l evel and is higher, on the average, than that of other p arts of the Area. Torpedo Lake soi ls, which are poorly drained, are dominant. They h:we a very dark surface layer and a firm clayey subsoil. In places they are stony. Homestead soils are undulating to steep and are well drained. They formed in silty loess 5 to 15 inches thick over gravelly material. Amono-the less extensive soils are the somewhat poorly drained '§penard soils on some of the gentle slopes and the Talkeetna soils on a few steep slo pes above an elevation of 1,200 feet. Talkeetna soil s are shallow, well-drained sil t loams underlain by stony material. Most of this soil association i s uninhabited, and only a few minor tracts n.re suitable for cultivated cr ops. Forests, dominantly of paper birch, white spruce, and quaking aspen, are on t he well-drained sites below an elevation of 1,000 feet. Above that elevation the forests gradually give way to dense patches of tall grass, mostly bluejoint, and thickets of ald~r brush. The l arge patches of native grass at the higher el evations are suitable for limited graz- ing, but t h e carrying capacity is low, and careful manage- m ent is required. Game animals, fur bearers, and other kinds of wildlife are common in this association, as the native vegetation p r ovides a variety of food and cover. 11. Tidal Marsh-Clunie association Gmy, poorly drained soils in sediments on tidal plains; and very; poorly drained 2Jeat soils that are shall01.o or moder- ately deep over tidal silt and clay This soil association is made up of nearly l evel , low, almost treeless tidal plains bordering Knik Arm. Large, poorly drained tracts of T idal marsh are dom- inant. Tidal marsh consists of thick clayey tidal deposits that are occasionally inundated by very high tides. The native vegetation consists mo~tly of sedges and gra~ses . Tidal marshes are a few feet lugher t h an the barren T1dal flats, wh ich ar e inundated regularly by high tides. Clunie soils ar e fairly extensive in ver y poorly drained depres- sions. Under a thick mat of live mo ss, the Clunie soil s consist of yellowish-brown peat over firm clayey sed- iments. Less exten sive in the association ar e the moderatel y well clrained Reedy soils, which are on narrow natural l evees along streams fl owing through the tidal pl ains. These soils fo r med in silty and very fine sandy sediments. They sup- port a native vegetation consisting mostly of willows, alders, and scattered clumps of cottonwood (bal sam pop- lar). This association has little potential for farming. Scat- tered tracts of R eedy soils are suitable for crops, but they are ine:\.i:ensive. T he vegetation on some of the Tidal mar sh is suitabl e for hay or pasture, but yields are low. The barren Tidal flats and the l arge tracts of Clunie peat are not suitable for farming . Nearly all of this association is in its natur al state and is excellent habitat for migratory waterfowl. Wild ducks, sandhill cranes, whistling swans, and a vari~ty of. other birds concentrate in these areas from early m sprmg to late in fall. MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 13 12. Susitna-Niklason association Dark-gray, well-drained, silty or fine sandy soils that are '~ · shallow or moderately deep over coarser sediments on alluvial plains Nearly level plains bordering major rivers and streams make up this soil association. Most o£ it is near the outlets o£ the Matanuska and Knik Rivers south o£ Palmer. Another tract is along ·willow Creek in the northwestern_ corner o£ the Area. Susitna soils formed in silty and fine sandy, water- deposited sediments underlain by gravel and coarse sand at a depth o£ 27 inches or more. Niklason soils formed in similar sediments but are shallower in depth to gravel. In places both the Susitna and Niklason soils are flooded occasionally £or sh<;>rt periods. . . Areas o£ these soils that escape floodmg are smta:ble £or cultivation, and all o£ the crops adapted to the Area can be grown on them. Average yields are slightly lowe~ on the Niklason soils, which are shallower than the Susitna soils and tend to be droughty. The areas that are flooded are suited to perennial grasses. Descriptions of the Soils Ln this section the soil series and their component map- ping u~ts i~ th~ Matar.mska Valley Area are ~escri:b~d. Each s01l series IS descrl'bed, and then the mappmg umts in that series. An important part o£ each series description is a description o£ a representative profile. All the map- ping units in a series are ~ssumed to have a ~rofile essei?-- tially like the representative .Pr?file. For this reason! It is necessary to read the descriptiOJ:?-o£ both. the mappmg unit and the soil series to get £ull m£ormatwn about any mapping unit. . The ·profile descriptions in this survey are detailed and contain technical terms £or soil drainage, texture, struc- ture, and other characteristics. These terms are de~ned in the Glossary. The significance o£ some o£ these IS men- tioned in the following paragraphs. Slope greatly affects the management o£ a soil. The steepness o£ slope, and its shape and complexity, are indi- cated in the terms used. Soils with simple slopes are de- scribed as nearly level ( 0 to 3 percent), gently sloping ( 3 to 7 percent) , moderately sloping ( 7 to 12 percent) , or strongly sloping (12 to 20 percent). Soils having complex, irregular slopes are described as ~tndulating ( 3 to 7 per- cent), rolling ( 7 to 12 percent), or hilly ( 12 to 20 per- cent). Soils that have both simple and complex slopes are described as modemtely steep (20 to 30 percent) or steep ( 30 to 45 percent) . Drainage o£ a soil affects management. A well-drained soil, £or example, commonly retains enough moisture £or plant growth, but a poorly dr·ained soil is wet so much o£ the time that growth o£ field crops is prohibited in most years. Color frequently indicates drainage o£ a soil. Many well-drained soils, £or example, are shades o£ brown, yellow, or red throughout their profile, as opposed .to the blue and gray shades that show in poorly drained soils. Soil scientists describe soil colors approximately in words, and precisely in Munsell color notations; £or example, "very dark brown (10YR 2/3)." Texture indicates, among other things, behavior o£ a soil under tillage, its capacity to hold moisture £or plants, and its resistance to water erosion or soil blowing. Texture is determined by relative content o£ sand, silt, and clay particles in a soil. Soils that are nearly all sand or all clay are difficult to manage. Structure o£ a soil affects its tilth. The terms used indi- cate how individual soil particles are arranged into larger aggregates, such as blocks, plates, or prisms. The terms show, respectively, strength, size, and shape o£ aggregates; £or example, "weak, fine, platy structure." The location o£ all the soils described in this section is shown on the detailed soil map at the back o£ this pub- lication. The acreage and extent o£ the soils are shown in ta:ble 3. The "Guide to Mapping Units" at the back o£ · this publication shows the management group in which each mapping unit has been placed, and the page where that group is .described. TABLE 3.-Acreage and proportionate extent of the soils [Dashes indicate the soil does not occur in the subdistrict] Palmer Wasilla Total Map Soil name Soil Con-Soil Con-Matanuska Proportion- symbol servation servation Valley Area ate extent Subdistrict Subdistrict Acres Acres Acres Percent Ace Anchorage sand, undulating to rolling____________________________ 530 ------------530 0. 1 AcE Anchorage sand, hilly to steep ___________ ------------------------150 ------------150 (1) AhA Anchorage silt loam, nearly leveL ________________________________ ------------490 490 .1 AnB Anchorage very fine sandy loam, undulating _______________________ ------------2, 430 2, 430 . 5 AnC Anchorage very fine sandy loam, rolling__________________________ 20 920 940 . 2 AnD Anchorage very fine sandy loam, hilly____________________________ 90 630 720 . 2 400 . 1 AnE Anchorage very fine sandy loam, moderately steep_________________ 200 200 5, 420 1.2 BbA Bodenburg silt loam, nearly leveL_______________________________ 5, 420 ------------BbB Bodenburg silt loam, undulating_________________________________ 1, 340 ------------1,340 . 3 BbC Bodenburg silt loam, rolling ____ ---------------------------------470 ------------470 .1 BbD Boden burg silt loam, hilly------__ --_----------------------------610 ------------610 .1 BdA Bodenburg very fine sandy loam, nearly leveL_____________________ 530 ------------530 .1 BdB 1 Bodenburg very fine sandy loam, undulating______________________ 770 ------------770 .2 BdC Bodenburg very fine sandy loam, rolling___________________________ 310 ------------310 .1 See footnote at end of table. 14 SOIL SURVEY TABLE 3.-Acreage and proportionate extent of the soils-Continued Map symbol BdD BdE BkF Ct Cl Co Cs De A DeB DeC DkD DkE DkF FhA FhB FhC FhE Ga Gp HoA HoB HoC HoD HoE HoF HsA HsB HsC HsD HsE HsF JaA JaB JbD JbF KaA KaC KaE KeB KnA KnB KnC KnD KnE KnF Ma Ml Mr NaA NaB NaC NaD NaE NpA NpB NpC NpD NpE NpF Ns Nv Re Rm Sa Sf ShA ShB Sl Sm Sn Soil name Palmer Soil Con- servation Subdistrict Acres Bodenburg very fine sandy loam, hilly____________________________ 360 Boden burg very fine sandy loam, moderately steep_________________ 280 Bodenburg and Knik silt loams, steep_____________________________ 1, 530 Chena silt loam _____ ----------------__________ -----____________ 4, 100 8~~1icfe~~srr-t ~~~~--_-= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = ~: f~g Coal Creek stony silt loam------~------~------------------------10 -Doone silt loam, nearly leveL __ -___ -________________________ ----1, 560 Doone silt loam, undulating_____________________________________ 2, 610 Doone silt loam, rolling_________________________________________ 1, 210 Doone and Knik silt loams, hilly_________________________________ 1, 730 Doone and Knik silt loams, moderately steep______________________ 540 Doone and Knik silt loams, steep _______________________ :_________ 3, 840 Flat Horn silt loam, nearly leveL ________________________________ ------------ Flat Horn silt loam, undulating ____________________________ -_----___________ _ Flat Horn silt loam, rolling ______________________________________ ------------ Flat Horn silt loam, hilly to steep ___________________________________________ _ Gravelly alluvial land_------------_____________________________ 3, 660 Gravel pits and Strip mines_~ __________________________________ -160 Homestead silt loam, nearly leveL ______________________________ -1, 370 Homestead silt loam, undulating_________________________________ 1, 520 Homestead silt loam, rolling ____________________________ -__ ------990 Homestead silt loam, hilly _______________________________ -_--_--2, 190 Homestead silt loam, moderately steep___________________________ 300 Homestead silt loam, steep______________________________________ 3, 370 Homestead silt loam, very shallow, nearly leveL___________________ 100 Homestead silt loam, very shallow, undulating_____________________ 1, 090 Homestead silt loam, very shallow, rolling________________________ 1, 750 Homestead silt loam, very shallow, hilly__________________________ 1, 390 Homestead silt loam, very shallow, moderately steep ___________ ----1, 640 Homestead silt loam, very shallow, steep__________________________ 9, 570 Jacobsen very stony silt loam, nearly leveL ______________________ -___________ _ Jacobsen very stony silt loam, gently sloping ______________________ ------------ Jim and Bodenburg silt loams, hilly______________________________ 140 Jim and Bodenburg silt loams, steep_____________________________ 910 Kalif,onsky silt loam, nearly leveL ______________________ -_-------SO Kalifonsky silt loam, gently to moderately sloping_________________ 10 Kalifonsky silt loam, strongly sloping to steep _________________ -_--330 Kenai siltlloam, undulating ___ -------______________________ --______________ _ Knik silt loam, nearly leveL____________________________________ 7, 040 Knik silt loam, undulating_~------------------------------------7, 210 Knik silt loam, rolling__________________________________________ 3, 230 Knik silt loam, hilly ________________________ -~ ______________ -_--2, 440 Knik silt loam, moderately steep _____________________________ -__ -2, 070 Knik silt loam, steep _________ -------____________ --_------------10, 210 Matanuska silt loam___________________________________________ 1, 320 Mixed alluvial land____________________________________________ 1, 190 Moose River silt loam__________________________________________ 160 Nancy silt loam, nearly leveL ______________________________________________ _ Nancy silt loam, undulating ________________________________________________ _ Nancy silt loam, rolling ____________________________________________________ _: Nancy silt loam, hilly _____________________________________________________ _ Nancy silt loam, moderately steep __________________________________________ _ Naptowne silt loam, nearly leveL ________________________________ ------------ Naptowne silt loam, undulating _____________________________________________ _ ~:~~~~: ~m ~~::: ~~~~--~ ~= = === == = = = = = = == = = == = = = = = = == == = = == = = = = == = = = = = = = Naptowne silt loam, moderately steep _______________________________________ _ Naptowne silt loam, steeP---------------------------~----~------------------ Niklason silt loam _________ ---_-----__________ -----_-----------1, 670 Niklason very fine sand ___________ ---____________________ -------510 Reedy silt loam________________________________________________ 2, 530 Rough mountainous land ___________________________ ~ ___ ~_~ ____ -3, 040 Salamatof peat ___________ c ______________________________ c _ _ _ _ _ 2, 090 Salamatof peat, ever frozen variant-----------~------------------50 Schrock silt loam, nearly leveL--------------------~-------------70 Schrock silt loam, undulating ____________________________________ ------------ Sea cliffs ________________________________________________________ -_________ _ Slikok mucky silt loam _______ -------_________________________ --1, 750 Slikok stony mucky silt loam____________________________________ 270 See footnote at end of table. Wasilla Soil Con- servation Subdistrict Acres ------------------------------------------------7, 470 2, 010 180 ------------------------------------------------------------------------1, 700 1, 340 630 360 20 150 19, 000 14,590 7,870 3, 770 4, 340 1, 870 19, 430 20, 040 9, 740 8,690 9, 660 7, 310 9,880 850 ------------------------290 140 110 170 6, 020 5, 060 2, 460 870 900 1,300 ------------8,740 5,490 800 390 310 340 820 2, 120 4,740 3,220 4, 120 2,450 1, 060 290 250 60 30 60,500 40 2, 170 670 100 4,020 950 Total Matanuska Proportion- Valley Area ate extent Acres Percent 360 01 280 01 1,530 .3 4, 100 .9 10, 040 2.2 4, 170 0 9 190 (') 1,560 0 3 2, 610 0 6 1, 210 0 3 1, 730 .4 540 01 3,840 .8 1,700 .4 1, 340 .3 630 01 360 01 3,680 .8 310 01 20, 370 4.5 16, 110 3.6 8,860 2.0 5,960 1.3 4, 640 1.0 5,240 1.2 19, 530 4.3 21, 130 4. 7 11, 490 2.5 10,080 2.2 11, 300 2.5 16,880 3. 7 9,880 2.2 850 .2 140 (') 910 0 2 370 0 1 150 (') 440 01 170 (') 13, 060 2.9 12, 270 2.7 5,690 1.3 3, 310 0 7 2, 970 .7 11,510 2.6 1,320 .3 9,930 2.2 5,650 1.2 800 .2 390 0 1 310 01 340 0 1 820_ .2 2, 120 .5 4,740 1.0 3,220 .7 4,120 .9 2,450 .5 1, 060 0 2 1, 960 .4 760 .2 2,590 0 6 3,070 .7 62,590 13.9 90 (') -2, 240-0 5 670 0 1 100 (') 5,770 1.3 1, 220 .3 -;· •:: ~1A'.rANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA TABLE 3.-Acreage and proportionate extent of the soils-Continued Palmer Wasilla Map Soil name Soil Con-Soil Con- symbol servation servation Subdistrict Subdistrict Acres Acres SpA Spenard silt loam, nearly leveL __________________________________ ------------1, 300 SpB Spenard silt loam, gently sloping _______________________ -__________ ------------760 Su Susitna silt loam _______________________________________________ 1,790 2,740 v Susitna very fine sand ____________________ -_____________________ 1,520 ------------ wA Susitna and Niklason very fine sands, overflow, 0 to 3 percent slopes __ 910 370 aE Talkeetna silt loam, moderately steep to steep _____________________ ------------200 e Terrace escarpments ___________________________________ -------__ 2, 430. ------------ f Tidal flats _____________ ---------------------------------------1,730 3,480 Tm_ Tidal marsh ___________________________________________________ 11,280 5,040 To A Torpedo Lake silt loam, nearly leveL _____________________________ 520 3,530 ToB Torpedo Lake silt loam, gently sloping ___ -----___________________ 940 6, 170 oC Torpedo Lake silt loam, moderately sloping _______________________ 790 390 ToD Torpedo Lake silt loam, strongly sloping __________________________ 520 190 TpB Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams, undulating ___________________ 100 4,820 TpC Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams, rolling _______________________ 140 4,380 TpD Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams, hilly------------------_______ 110 2,870 TpE Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams, moderately steep ______________ ------------350 Wa Wasilla silt loam _______________________________________________ 1,960 1,040 Total land area __________________________________________ 135, 100 314,200 Water area ______________________________________________ 5,500 19,490 Total map area _________________ -------------------------140,600 333,690 1 Less than 0.05 percent. Anchorage Series 15 Total Matanuska Proportion- Valley Area ate extent Acres Percent 1,300 . 3 760 . 2 4,530 1.0 1,520 . 3 1,280 .3 200 (1) 2,430 .5 5,210 1.1 16,320 3.6 4,050 . 9 7, 110 1.6 1, 180 . 3 710 . 1 4,920 1.1 4,520 1.0 2,980 .7 350 . 1 3,000 .7 449,300 100.0 24,990 ------------474,290 ------------ The Anchorage series consists of deep, excessively · :;. drained sandy soils on stabilized dunes. Choppy, undu- ;;_ Jating to steep slopes predominate, but a few small areas The surface layer is dominantly very fine sandy loam, but in nearly level places it is silt loam, and on a few hilly to steep sites in the eastern part of the Area it is sand. Coarse sand, gravel, and stones are at a depth of 30 inches or more. The Anchorage soils in the eastern part of the Area are grayer, coarser, and less strongly acid than those in the western part. :;;g~ are nearly level. . . · j}i: These soils are moderately extensive on low hills along ';?;;Knik Arm and Big Lake, and they also occur as .scat~ered, '<':':':hilly to steep areas along the M:;ttanus~a and Knik Riyers. · ,,;.They support forests that consist mamly of paper birch, · ':kwhite spruce, and aspen. A few tracts are used for crops -;.·:vand pasture. ··· ';.:· Representative profile of Anchorage very fine sandy :(:<loam in the SE~NE~ sec. 34, T. 16 N., R. 3 W., Seward {/ Meridian: . <''!;··; 01-2 inches to 0, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) !llat of de- ' ·.: ]' composing organic materials; extremely aCld; abrupt, Jt:· wavy boundary. 1 to 3 inches thick. · ~~{' :: A2-0 to 1 inch gray ( lOYR 5/1) silt loam; very weak, me- dium, platy structure; very friable; plentiful root~; extremely acid ; abrupt, irregular boundary. 1 to 2 V2 inches thick. H21-1 inch to 2 inches, dark-<brown (7.5YR 4/4) very fine sandy loam; pockets of yellowish red (5Y~ 4/6) ; w~ak, medium, granular structure; very fnable; plentiful roots; extremely acid; abrupt, irregular boundary. % inch to 2 inches thick. B22-2 to 6 inches, brown (10YR 4/3) very fine sandy loam with yellowish-brown streaks and patches; very weak, medium, granulcar structure; very friable; very strongly acid; plentiful roots; clear, wavy boundary. 3 to 8 inches thick. B3-6 to 12 inches, light olive-brown (2.5Y 5/4) fine sand; single grain; loose; few roots; strongly acid; clear, wavy boundary. 4 to 12 inches thick. 0--'-12 to 40 inches, olive (5Y 4/3) sand; structureless; loose; yellowish-brown, weakly cemented, undulating bands, Ys inch thick, at a depth between 30 and 37 inches; very few roots ; strongly acid. •Many feet thick. Anchorage sand, undulating to rolling (3 to 12 per- cent slopes) (AcC).-This soil is grayer, has a coarser tex- tured surface layer, and is less acid than the one described for the series. About three-fourths of this soil is on scat- tered, rolling knolls and ridges that have short, irregular. slopes. The rest is on small, undulating plains. Most of it adjoins Bodenburg soils or steeper Anchorage sand. A few steep slopes were included in mapping . This soil has a low moisture-supplying capacity and is highly susceptible to blowing 'if protective cover is not maintained. Cleared areas are used chiefly for hay and pasture. (Management group 16) Anchorage sand, hilly to steep (12 to 45 percent slopes) (AcE).-This soil is on irregular, hilly ridges along the Matanuska and Knik Rivers. The steeper ridges gen- erally are closer to the rivers. This soil is grayer, has a coarser textured surface layer, and is less acid than the one described for the series. Some areas are highly susceptible to blowing unless protective cover is maintained. Droughtiness limits suit- ability for crops or pasture. Most of the acreage is forested, but a few acres have been cleared and are used ror grazing. (Management group 30) Anchorage silt loam, nearly level (0 to 3 percent slopes) (AhA).-This soil is in a few small, nearly level 16 SOIL SURVEY places that border glacial ouh.vash plai!ls and large lakes. The surface layer .is about 8 .mches tl:ICk over. fine sand. A few low sandy ndges were mcluded IJ?-mappmg. . . This soil is droughty and is susc~ptible to blowmg .If the surface is exposed. If cleared, It should be kept m grass most of the time. (Management group 16) Anchorage very fine sandy loam, undulating (3 to 7 percent slopes) (AnB).-This soil makes up more than half of the total acreage of Anchorage soils in the Matanuska Valley Area. A few tracts are fairly large, but there are many small, irregular ones. Silt l?am and fine sandy loam were included in mapping. Also mcluded were a few l<?w sandy ridges and a few small tracts of very shallow smls underlain by gravel. . . . . This soil is droughty and IS susceptible to. blowl?g If the surface is exposed. It should not be used mtensively for cultivated crops. (Management group 16). Anchorage very fine sandy loam, rollmg (7 to 12 per- cent slopes) (AnC).-This soil o~curs a~ scattered areas on short slopes adjoining undulatmg plams. Sm~ll gravel~y spots and a few moderately steep slopes were mcluded m mapping. . . The moisture-supplying c~pamty IS low. If cleared, this soil is susceptible to blowmg. Cleared areas should be used mainly for hay or pasture. (Mana~ement group 16) Anchorage very fine sandy loam, hilly (12 to 20 per- cent slopes) (AnD).-This soil occu:r:s as small, scattered, stabilized dunes that have short, Irregular sloi?es. The surface layer is generally less than 5 mches thick over deep fine sand. So~e areas. of silt loam and fine sandy loam were included m mappmg, and also a few moderately steep slopes. · · f h This soil is very droughty and blows readily I t e surface is exposed. Cleared tracts should be kept m grass. (Management group 23) Anchorage very fine sandy loam, moderately steep (20 to 30 percent slopes) (AnE).-Thls soil occurs as small, scattered sta:bilized dunes that have short, choppy slopes. Becaude it is very droughty and highly susceptibl~ to blowing, this soil should remain in native vegetatiOn. (Management group 30) Bodenburg Series The Bodenburg series consists of well-drained soils that formed in deep, wind-laid ~ilt loam and ~ery fine s.andy loam. This wind-laid materml commonly IS underlam by gravelly loamy coarse sand. . . These soils occupy nearly level to rollmg terra?es and a few hilly to steep areas along the Matanuska River near Palmer. They are not so brown as the .Doon~ soils or the shallower Knik soils, and they formed m a thicker mantle of wind-laid sediments than the Jim soils, which are underlain by rock. The Boderrburg soils support forest consisting mostly of birch and white spruce. Most of the nearly level areas have been cleared and are used for crops. These soils are not extensive but are important as cropland. Representative profile of Bodenburg silt loam ~n. the NWl4NW:f4 sec._9, T. 17 N., R. 2 E., Seward Meridian: 011-2 to 1% inches, forest litter. 012-1% inches to 0, mll!t of roots and partly decomposed organic material, dominantly very dark brown (10YR 2/2) ; abrupt, smooth boundary. 1 to 3 inches thick. C1-Q to 3 inches, gray (5Y 5/1) silt loam; mottles of very dark grayish brown; weak, very fine, subangular blocky structure ; friable ; many roots ; very strongly a.cid; abrupt, smooth boundary. 2 to 5 inches thick. C2--3 to 8 inches, mixed, very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2), dark-brown (10YR 4/3), and dark-gray (5Y 4/1) silt loam ; dominant color is dark grayish brown ; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure ; friable; roots common; strongly acid; clear, wavy boundary. 3 to 6 inches thick. C3-8 to 27 inches, gray (5Y 5/1) silt loam; mottles and a few horizontal streaks of dark brown; weak, medi- um, subangular blocky structure that breaks to coarse platy ; friable; few roots; strongly acid; clear, wavy boundary. 12 to 30 inches thick. C4-27 to 36 inches, mixed olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) and gray (5Y 5/1) silt loam; dominantly olive brown; mas- sive; friable; very few roots; medium acid; abrupt boundary. 4 to 10 inches thick. IIC5--36 to 48 inches +. very gravelly loamy coarse sand. Many feet thick. The mantle of wind-laid material ranges from 30 inches to 10 feet in thickness but is generally less than 40 inches thick. It commonly contains thin layers or fragments of buried organic matter, as shown in figure 8. It is under- lain in most places by gravelly deposits but in a few places by rock. In cultivated fields the surface layer is commonly medium acid. Rodenburg silt loam, nearly level (0 to 3 percent slopes) (BbA).-This soil is on nearly level terraces. It is generally 30 inches or more deep over gravel, but slightly shallower areas south of Palmer were included in map- ping. Included also were a few small outcrops of rock, small depressions, and a few patches of Jim soils in the southern part· of Palmer and to the south and east of Palmer. The depressions are ponded for short periods in spring. Artificial drainage of these spots is not difficult, and it minimizes crop losses and the delays in farmwork. Most of tllis soil is used for crops, and it is suited to all crops commonly grown in the Area. In large fields it is susceptible to blowing if exposed to strong winds. (Management group 2) Rodenburg silt loam, undulating (3 to 7 percent slopes) (BbB).-This soil is on undulating plains that have short, irregular slopes. One area of about 40 acres near Bodenburg Butte is underlain by rock at a depth of 30 to 40 inches. This area includes a few spots of Jim soils. Near the Matanuska River there are small inclusions of Boden- burg very fine sandy loam on low knolls and ridges. A few small depressions are also included. Most of this soil is used for crops, and it is suited to all crops commonly grown in the Area. In large cultivated fields it is susceptible to blowing if the surface is exposed to strong winds. It is also slightly susceptible to water ero- sion, which generally can be controlled by simple conser- vation practices. (Management group 4) Rodenburg silt loam, rolling (7 to 12 percent slopes) (BbC).-This soil is inextensive. It is on low ridges and knolls that have short, irregular slopes. It generally bor- ders Doone silt loam or Bodenburg very fine sandy loam. Patches of the bordering soils and a few small hilly areas were included in mapping. MATANUSKA VALL EY AREA, AL ASKA 17 Figure B.-Profile of Bodenburg silt loam s howing a thin, dark- colored layer of organic mate rial at a depth of 18 inches and gravel and sand at a depth of about 3Yz feet. This soi l is suited to all crol)S grown in t he Area. If cleared, it is susceptible to blowing and to water erosion , but the loss of soil generally can be controlled without difficu l ty. (Man agement group 6) R odenburg silt loam, hilly (12 to 20 percent sl opes) (BbD).-This soil is on irregular hills and ridges that have short slopes. It commonly border s Knik or Doone soils. The depth to gravel var ies more than in the l ess h illy Bodenburg soils. In some p l aces the texture is slightly coar ser than n ormal , and in some there a r e thin l enses of very fine sand. Small areas of Bodenburg ver y fine sandy loam, Doone silt loam, and K nik sil t l oam were included in mappin g. A l so included were a few steep sl opes. If exposed, t h is soil is highly susceptibl e to water ero- sion and moderatel y susceptible to blo,ving. It is sui ted to perennial grasses . (Management group 13) Rodenburg v ery fine sandy loam, nearly level (0 to 3 percent slopes) (BdA) .-This soil is on nearly l evel ter- races, and commonl y it borders Bodenburg silt loam. It formed in deep, wind-l aid, ver y fine sand y material that contai ned a moderate amount of silt. It is more unifor m 1n depth to gravel than steeper Bodenburg soils . A few short slopes and a f ew patch es of Bodenburg silt loam were included in mapping. Most of this soil is used for grain and grass and for potatoes and oth er vegeta:bles, which are g r own commer- cially. It u sually can be worked earlier in s pring than si lty soils, and for this reason it i s well suited to vege- ta;b les. If cultivated, this soil i s susceptible to blowing. Stripcroppin g and win dbreaks are effective in controlling soi l blowing. (Management group 1) Rodenburg very fine sandy loam, undulating (3 to 7 percent sl opes) (BdB).-This soil has short, gentle, irregular slopes . It commonly borders Bodenburg silt loam or other phases of Bodenburg very fine sandy l oam on broad ter- races. In places it contains l ess silt than Bodenburg very fine sandy loam, nearly l evel. A few san ely s pots and a few short, moderate slopes were included in mapping. Most of t h is soil i s used for grass and small grain and for potatoes a n d other vegetabl es. It is well suited to veg- etabl es, as it tends to warm u p earlier in spring than silty soil s. If the surface is exposed, this soil i s susceptible to blow- in g, which can or dinarily be controlled by simple con ser- vation measures. (Managemen t group 3) Rodenburg very fine sandy loam, rolling (7 to 12 per- cent slopes) (BdC ).-This soil has short, irregular sl opes and commonly borders other Bodenburg soils on terraces. In places it contains less silt than Bodenburg very fine sanely l oam, nearly level A few small hills of Anchorage sand and a few small depressi ons were included m mapping. T llis soil is suited to all climati cally adapted crop s, but it i s susceptibl e to blowi ng and to water erosion if the surface is exposed. Conservation practices are needed to control soil loss if row crops are grown. The small sandy spots are droughty and are l ess productive than the areas of finer textu red soil. (Man agement group 5) Rodenburg very fine sandy loam, hilly (12 to 20 per- cent sl opes) (BdD).-Th is soi l is in small areas that include a few knolls of Anchorage sand. Row crops are d iffi cult to p l ant and harvest becau se the sl opes are short and i rregul ar. If the surface is exposed, this soil is susceptible to b l owing and to water erosion. I t is better suited to hay or pastu re than to tilled crops. (Management group 13) Rodenburg very fine sandy loam, moderately steep (20 to 30 percent slopes) (Bd E).-This soil occurs a s small, i r r egular a r eas and has short sl opes. It commonly border s oth er Bodenburg soils on broad terraces, and it occur s on ridges and sl opes with t h e sandy Anchorage soils. In places it is coarser textured t h an t h e more gently sl oping Bodenburg soil s. Sandy spots a n d a few steep sl opes wer e included in mapping. B ecause of t h e severe er os i on haz- 18 SOIL SURVEY ard, this soil is better suited to permanent pasture or to woodland than to crops. (Management group 20) Bodenburg and Knik silt loams, steep (30 to 45 per- cent slopes) (BkF).-These soils occupy narrow escarpments and steep, irregular ridges. They commonly border less steeply sloping Bodenburg soils. In most places the man- tle of silty material is 2 to 3¥2 feet thick over gravelly deposits. The Knik soils are browner than the Bodenburg soils and have a mantle of loess less than 30 inches thick. .A:bout 10 percent of the total acreage consists of moder- ately steep slopes. In addition, a few small knolls and ridges of Doone silt loam and Bodenburg very fine sandy loam were included in mapping. These soils are too steep for crops. They are better suited to woodland. The included moderately steep tracts can be kept in permanent grass. (Management group 28) Chena Series The Chena series consists of excessively drained soils that formed in a thin mantle of silty and very fine sandy material, 2 to 10 inches thick, over loose gravelly deposits. These soils occur mainly in nearly level areas border- ing streams in the eastern part of the survey Area. They are commonly forested with white spruce, but in places cottonwood (balsam poplar) and paper birch are the dominant trees. Representative profile of Chena silt loam in the NW1t4NE1;4 sec. 26, T. 17 N., R. 2 E., Seward Meridian: 01-3 inches to 0, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) mat of moss and decomposing plants; many fine roots; my- celia; abrupt, smooth boundary. A1-0 to 2 inches, very dark gray (5Y 3/1) silt loam; weak, medium, granular structure; friable; fine roots com- mon; clear, smooth boundary. C1-2 to 4 inches, olive-gray (5Y 4/2)· gravelly silt loam; weak, medium, .subangular blocky structure ; friable ; roots common; clear, smooth boundary. IIC2--4 to 18 inches, olive-gray (5Y 4/2) sand and gravel;_ structureless; loose; more than 50 percent of mass consists of rounded stones and cobblestones. These soils are very strongly acid. In places the surface layer is very fine sandy loam. Chena silt loam (0 to 3 pe11cent slopes) (Ct).-Most of this soil is on broad, low stream terraces. Included with it in mapping were areas on narrow terraces border- ing the smaller streams where the slope is more than 3 percent. Included also were a few short, steep slopes, a few stony areas, and some spots of very fine sandy loam. This soil is droughty and is too shallow over gravelly material for deep tillage. If cleared, it can be seeded to perennial grasses and used for hay or pasture. (Manage- ment group 22) Clunie Series The Clunie series consists of very poorly drained peat soils underlain by tidal silt and clay at a depth of 12 to 30 inches. This underlying material distinguishes these soils from the Salamatof soils, which formed in deep peat. ~he 9lirri.te ~oils ar_e extensive in nearly ·level depressions m the tidal plams along Knik Arm. These soils support native vegetation of sphagnum moss, sedges, Labrador-tea, and other plants common in muskeg areas. Representative profile of Clunie peat in the SW1;4 NW%, sec. 17, T. 15 N., R. 3 W., Seward Meridian: 0 to 11 inches, raw moss and sedge peat with admixture of very dark gray (5Y 3/1) silt loam; many fine roots; · strongly acid ; abrupt, smooth boundary. 11 to 27 inches, moss and sedge peat; dark reddish brown (5-y;R 2/2) when moist, brown or dark brown (7.5,YR 4/4) when squeezed dry; few woody fragments; roots common to a depth of 20 inches ; slightly acid ; abrupt, smooth boundary. 27 to 33 inches, dark-gray (N 4/0) clay and silty clay loam w~th layers ~f sed_ge and moss peat; slightly sticky, slightly plastic ; slightly acid; abrupt, smooth bound- ary. 33 to 48 inches +, greenish-gray (5BG 5/1) silty clay loam· massive; slightly sticky, slightly plastic· few roots: slightly acid. ' ' ~oth the peat and the un_derlying mat~rial are slightly amd. In pl~ces there are thm layers of silt or clay in the peat matenals. The water table is always at or near the surface. Clm;tie p~at (Cll.:-This soil is occasionally inunda,ted by very high tides or IS flooded for short periods by overflow from fresh-wat~r streams: Artificial drainage for agricul- t~ral purposes IS not f~asrble. In places the native vegeta- ti<;>n ~an be used for light grazing. Waterfowl and other Wildlife frequent these areas. (Management group 34) Coal Creek Series ~he Coa:l Creek series c?nsists of dark-colored, poorly d_ramed soils that formed m moderately deep silty mate- rial over firm, moderately fine textured sediments. These soils occur in nearly level to gently sloping stream valleys, on the borders of muskegs, and in depressions. They also occur on low, gentle slopes that receive seepage and runoff from surrounding uplands. They are finer tex- tured than the Moose River soils and the Wasilla soils and are lower in content of organic matter than tihe Slikok soils. The Coal Creek soils support several types of vegeta- tion. T~e most c_ommon type consists of sparse forests of paper birch, white spruce, and black spruce, heavily un- derstoried with alder, willow, grasses, horsetail, and fire- weed. Around muskegs, the vegetation generally consists of dense forests of black spruce and a thick ground cover of moss. In numerous small depressions, the dominant vegetation is grass. These soils are widespread throughout the Area. Representative profile of Coal Creek silt loam in the NW1;4NE1;4 sec. 28, T. 19 N., R. 2 E., Seward Meridian: 01-3 inches to 0, black (5YR 2/1) mat of roots and de- composing organic material; extremely acid; abrupt, smooth boundary. 2 to 6 inches thick. All-0 to 2 inches, very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) silt loam; weak, fine, granular structure; very friable; many fine roots; extremely acid; abrupt, smooth boundary. 1 to 5 inches thick. A12g-2 to 9 inches, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) silt loam; many, coarse, faint mottles of dark brown; weak, medium, platy structure that breaks to weak fine granular; friable; many fine pores; plentiful ~oots; extremely acid ; clear, smooth boundary. 4 to 10 inches thick. MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 19 to 14 inches, gray (10YR 5/1) silty clay loam; many, medium, distinct mottles of yellowish brown; massive; firm; few roots; clear, smooth boundary. 3 to 10 inches thick. C2g-14 to 28 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) silt loam and pockets of sandy clay loam ; common, fine, distinct mottles of strong brown ; weak, medium, platy struc- ture that breaks to weak, medium, granular; many fine pores; friable; very strongly acid; gradual, .smooth boundary. 10 to 20 inches thick. C3g-28 to 41 inches +, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) clay loam; many, medium, distinct mottles of strong brown ; massive; very firm ; slightly sticky and plas- tic when wet; very strongly acid. Many feet thick. The upper layers are generally extremely acid, and the . layers are very strongly acid or strongly acid. a cover of native grasses, the upper third of the is dark brown rather than dark gray. In some thin strata of silty clay loam occur within 10 inches the surface, but in other places the silty clay loam are lacking and the entire profile is silt loam to a of 28 to 40 inches. The substratum, below a depth to 40 inches, generally consists of firm silty clay ~-.. ,,~ua"·'""' clay loam, or sandy clay loam, but in places it con- .,..,,.,,,w,,,., of very gravelly and stony deposits. Some areas have stones within 20 inches of the surface. Creek silt loam (0 to 3 percent slopes) (Co).-This is in scattered low valleys along small streams, in ¥-..-NdePrl:lSSH. ms that range from 10 to 40 acres in size, and in border muskegs. Some areas are ponded occa- ...... ~~~··~J for short periods. Typically, the profile is similar describ,eil,Jorthe series,.but in many scattered :s;;.].uT:tss-ccwered depfessions, the profile is browner near the The soil in these depressions formed in medium- 1!;\):ttextmred sediments underlajn by coarse-textured or stony Most of the small areas that have gravelly sub- at a depth of 20 to 30 inches are in depressions on terraces in the eastern part of the Area. About 2 percent of the acreage consists of gently slop- areas that receive runoff and seepage from adjoining Small patches of peat or mucky soils and of f!:f~?swny and gravelly soils were included in mapping. soil is suita;ble for hay or pasture if cleared and drained. Most of it is in native vegetation. ~0·come areas of native grasses can be grazed. (Management 18) Creek stony silt loam (0 to 3 percent slopes) .-This soil occupies minor drainageways, muskeg wYE·>·nnl·rt and small scattered depressions within larger -Homestead soils throughout the western half of survey Area. The total acreage is small. The mineral '""';;,,.·c,,,,..J!o layer is commonly dark brown, and many stones ,.,".'"-~v'"·u in the upper 20 inches. Some areas are ponded occa- for short periods. Small patches of peat and of soils were included in mapping. This soil is too to be improved for crops, but in most places it native grasses that can be used for light grazing. , ....... "'""'•o"'·'""v.uu group 32) Doone series consists of well-drained silt loams lain by coarse gravelly material at a depth of 28 · 40 inches. These soils are on high terraces bordering the Mata- nuska River between Sutton and Palmer. They are also on many steep escarpments and ridges. They are deeper to gravel than tlie Knik soils and browner than the Bod- errburg soils. The native vegetation is forest consisting mainly of paper birch, white spruce, quaking asp~n, and cotto~wood (balsam poplar) . Although not extensive, these smls are iinportant as cropland. Representative profile of Doone silt loam i.n .the SW* NW% sec. 10, T. 18 N., R. 2 E., Seward Mendmn: 011-3 to 2% inches, loose litter of leaves, twigs, and other plant remains; clear, smooth boundary. 012-2% inches to 0, black (10YR 2/1) mat of decomposing organic matter that contains some silt; many roots and mycelia ; abrupt, smooth boundary. 2 to 4 inches. thick. .A2-0 to 7 inches, dark-gray (5Y 4/1) silt loam; common, medium, distinct mottles of dark reddish brown; weak, very thin, platy structure; very friable ; roots plentiful; abrupt, wavy boundary. 3 to 8 inches thick. BZ---7 to 13 inches, dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) silt loam; dark yellowish-brown patches and streaks; weak, very thin, platy structure; very friable; few small con- cretions that have reddish-brown interiors; roots plentiful; clear, wavy boundary. 5 to 8 inches thick. B31-13 to 21 inches, dark yellowish-brown (10YR 4/4) silt loam; dark-brown patches; weak, very thin, platy structure ; very friable ; few roots ; gradual bound· ary. 6 to 10 inches thick. B32---21 to 26 inches, brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam; moderate, thin, platy structure; very friable; many, small, smooth-walled vesicles; •gradual boundary. 4 to 8 inches ·thick. 01-26 to 33 inches, dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 4/2) silt loam •Streaked with very dark grayish brown ; weak, thin platy structure; very friable; abrupt, wavy bound- ary. 5 to 12 inches thick. IICZ---33 to 40 inches +. coarse sand and gravel; structure- less ; loose. Many feet thick. The lower layers range from silt loam to very fine sandy loam. Coarse sand and gravel occur at a depth of 28 to 40 inches. · Doone silt loam, nearly level (0 to 3 percent slopes) (DeA).-This soil occupies fai-rly large, nearly level plains on high terraces. The depth to gravel is about 36 mches and is fairly uniform throughout broad areas. In places there is a layer of very fine sandy loam just above the gravel. Small undulating areas,· a few patches of Knik soils, and scattered depressions are common mapping inclusions. Most of the acreage is cropland, and all of the crops adapted to the Area can be grown. In large fields, the soil is susceptible to blowing if the surface is exposed. (Management group 2) Doone silt loam, undulating (3 to 7 percent slopes) (DeB).-This soil occuJ?ies fairly broad plams on high ter- races. It is not so uniform in depth to gravel as Doone silt loam, nearly level. A few narrow escarpments and small nearly level tracts were included in mapping. Most of this soil is cropland. Small grain and hay are the principal crops, but all of the crops adapted to the Area can be grown. Water erosion is a slight hazard in large cultivated fields, but this can ordinarily be controlled by simple con- servation measures. Soil blowing is also a hazard if the surface is exposed. (Management group 4) 20 SOIL SURVEY Doone silt loam, rolling (7 to 12 percent slopes) (DeC).-This soil is in scattere<1 rolling areas on high ter- races and outwash plains. ;::;hort escarpments, small nearly level tracts, and patches of Knik soils were in- cluded in mapping. All climatically adapted crops can be grown on this soil, but, if row crops are grown, conservation measures are needed to control soil blowing and water erosion. (Management group 6) Doone and Knik silt loams, hilly (12 to 20 percent slopes) (DkD).-These soils are in scattered, hilly areas, generally bordering broad terraces. The slopes are short and irregular. In most places the depth to gravel is between 24 and 36 inches, but in the Knik soils a depth of between 15 and 24 inches is fairly common. A few short escarpments were included in mapping. If used as cropland, these soils should be kept in peren- nial grasses most of the time, as they are highly suscep- tible to water erosion if cultivated. They are moderately susceptible to soil blowing. (Management group 13) Doone and Knik silt loams, moderately steep (20 to 30 percent slopes) (DkE).-These soils occur as small scat- tered areas on terrace escarpments and ridges bordering broad plains. The depth to gravel is 24 to 36 inches, but many patches where the depth is less were included in mapping. These soils are too steep for crops; they are suitable for pasture or woodland. (Management group 20) Doone and Knik silt loams, steep (30 to 45 percent slopes) (DkF).-These soils are on sharp ridges and terrace escarpments, a few of which have slopes that are more than 400 feet long. The depth to gravel generally is between 24 and 36 inches, but spots where the depth is less were included in mapping. These steep soils should remain in native vegetation, as they are ~xtremely susceptible to erosion. (Manage- ment group 28) Flat Horn Series The Flat Horn series consists of well-drained soils that formed in deep, layered silty and fine sandy materials. These soils occupy nearly level to steep slopes on high, dissected terraces bordering major and secondary streams in the western part of the Area. Flat Horn soils differ from Nancy soils in that they formed in stratified material rather than in silty loess. They are not so coarse textured as Anchorage soils. Flat Horn soils are older and more strongly developed than Schrock soils, which are on lower terraces. These soils support forest that consists dominantly of paper birch, white spruce, and quaking aspen. They are of minor extent in this Area. Representative profile of Flat Horn silt loam in the NW14,SE14, sec. 14, T. 17 N., R. 4 W., Seward Meridian: 01-3 inches to 0, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) mat of de- composing moss ·and organic material; many fine roots and mycelia ; abrupt, smooth boundary. 2 to 6 inches thick. A21-0 to 1 inch, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) silt loam; weak, medium, granular structure; very friable ; fine roots common ; abrupt, smooth boundary. 1/2 to 1 inch thick. A22-1 to 2 inch.es, gray (10YR 5/1) silt loam; weak, thin, platy structure ; very friable ; fine roots common; abrupt, irregular boundary. 1 to 3 inches thick. B2-2 to 5 inches, mixed reddish-brown (5YR 4/4) and yel- lowish-red (5YR 4/6) silt loam; weak, medium, gran- ular ·structure ; very friable ; roots common ; abrupt, wavy boundary. 2 to 5 inches thick. - B3-5 to 7 inches, yellowish-brown (10YR 5/6) silt loam; very weak, fine, subangular blocky structure ; very friable; roots common; abrupt, broken boundary. 0 . to 4 inches thick. A2b-7 to 8 inches, grayish-brown (10YR 5/2) silt loam; weak, thin, platy structure; friable; roots common; abrupt, wavy boundary. % to 2 inches thick. HB2b-8 to 11 inches, dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) fine sandy loam; weak, fine, granular structure; very friable; roots common; clear, wavy boundary. 2 to 4 inches thick. IIB3b--11 to 19 inches, olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) fine sandy loam; brown streaks; very weak, thin, platy struc- ture; very friable; contains a few thin (%-inch) layers of olive-gray silt; few roots; gradual, smooth boundary. 3 to 12 inches thick. IIC-19 to 40 inches, olive (5Y 4/3) fine sand, very fine sand, and silt in stratified layer.s ; fine sand is structure- less and loose; the silt and very fine sand are mas- sive and very friable; 2 feet to many feet thick over coarse, stratified sand and gravel. These soils are very strongly acid. The layers of silty and sandy material vary in number and thickness, but the upper 10 inches is dominantly silty. Flat Horn silt loam, nearly level (0 to 3 percent s~opes) (FhA).-This soil occurs rus fairly large tracts on high terraces. It commonly has a thicker silt mantle and is more uniform throughout broad areas than the undu- lating and rolling Flat Horn soils. On terraces along Fi.sh Cree~, a few _low ridges and knolls of Anchorage soils were illcluded ill mappillg. Near Willow, small areas of Nancy soils, a few sJ:.ort, steel? escarpments, and a few undu~atillg areas were illcluded ill mapping. This sml can be used for all crops commonly grown in the Area. (Management group 1) Flat Horn silt loam,. undulating ( 3 to 7 percent slopes) (FhB).-~his soil is on high terraces, commonly with Flat Horn silt loam, nearly level. The silty surface mantle varies more in thickness than that of the nearly level soil. A few patches of Anchorage soils and of shallow Home- stead soils were included in mapping. This soil can be used for all crops adapted to the Area. y:r ater erosion is a slight hazard in cultivated fields, but It can be controlled by simple conservation practices. (Management group 3) Flat Horn silt loam, rolling (7 to 12 percent slopes) (FhC).-This soil occurs as a few scattered areas on short slopes. Small sandy ridges of Anchorage very fine sandy loam and a few patches of shallow soil were included in mapping. This soil is suited to all of the crops commonly grown in the Area. If row crops are grown, conservation prac- tices are needed to control erosion. (Management group 5) Flat Horn silt loam, hilly to steep (12 to 45 percent slopes) (FhE).-This mapping unit consists of almost equal acreages of hilly, moderately steep, and steep silt loam on high terraces. Because they have similar management requirements, all phases of this soil were mapped as one unit. The steep soils generally have a thinner silt mantle and are slightlyeoarser textured than the hilly and mod- erately steep soils. MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA · 21 This soil is susceptible to erosion and, if cleared, be kept in perennial grasses. (Management group avelly Alluvial Land Gravelly alluvial land (Ga) consists mostly of loose o·,·:.>•'><:>.~velly and stony material on low-lying areas along or rivers and streams that have a rapidly fluctuatin~ level. The areas are only slightly above the normal ·'"•'"".ron..-£,.,. level and are flooded several times a year. They dissected by many secondary channels and sloughs. places they are covered by recent deposits of silty and sandy sediments. Parts of these areas are barren of 7"::'\re!!:et~ttH. )n, but willow brush, alder thickets, grassy scattered cottonwoods are common. is not suitable for crops or for grazing and supports timber of merchantable size. Some of the vegetation provides excellent browse for moose, frequent these areas, especially in winter. (Man- "'d;J::·a~rement group 36) ravel Pits and Strip _Mines Gravel pits and Strip mines (Gp) are open excava- '"''·+•r·~~ more than: 3 acres in size, from which the soil and of the underlying material have been removed. of these areas are nearly barren of vegetation, but few that have been abandoned for a long time support '"·"'~~uuuJ::; of willow birch, quaking aspen, and many kinds ~~-,=··;~ ts that provide habitat for wildlife. that are less than 3 acres in size are on the soil map by a pick-and-hammer or a '-'·'"··,.,... .. ~~and-shovel symbol. (Not in a management group) The Homestead series consists of well-drained silty that are shallow and very shallow over loose sand gravel. These are the most extensive soils on uplands. are on broad outwash plains and gravelly moraines, the range of slope is from nearly level to steep. In the eastern half of the Area there is a broad, grad- boundary between the Homestead soils and the , .. Knik soils. A similar boundary occurs between the '· : soils and the Nancy soils in the western part :of the Area. The thin, gray surface layer and brownish . . · subsoil in the Homestead soils are more prominent than ··.,those in the Knik soils, but they are not so thick or so ·•.·. prominent as those in the Nancy soils . . :,· On the foot slopes of the Talkeetna Mountains, the · ~·; Homestead soils occur in an intricate pattern with the · :;;~ poorly drained Torpedo Lake soils and are mapped with '\>them in complexes. Homestead soils generally support forests of paper white spruce, and quaking aspen and a ground cover consisting of low-growing shrubs and a thin blan- ket of moss. In some slight depressions and on low ter- however, the vegetation consists of black spruce a thick cover of moss. The soil under this kind of vegetation has a darker colored mineral surface layer, .with some mottling, and a redder B horizon than is typi- cal. It is more strongly acid than most Homestead soils. Representative profile of Homestead silt loam. in the SW%, sec. 9, T. 17 N., R. 2 W., Seward Meridian: 011-3 to 2¥2 inches, forest litter. 012-2¥2 inches to 0, very dark brown (10YR 2/2) mat of roots and partly decomposed organic material; few myceHa ; abrupt, smooth boundary. 1 to 4 inches thick. AZ--0 to 3 inches, dark-gray (5Y 4/1) silt loam; weak, very fine, granular structure; friable; roots plentiful; ex- tremely acid; abrupt, irregular boundary. 1 to 4 inches thick. BZ--3 to 7 inches, mixed dark yellowish-brown (10YR 4/4), brownish-yellow (10YR 6/8), and reddish-yellow (5YR 6/8) silt loam, dominantly dark yellowish brown; colOTs occur as large patches rather than as mottles; weak, fine, subangular blocky structure; fri- able; few roots; .strongly acid; clear, wavy bound- ary. 2 to 5 inches thick. B3-7 to 10 inches, mixed brown (10YR 5/3) and yellowish- brown (10YR 5/4) silt loam; few patches and streaks of dark brown (10YR 3/3) ; weak, fine, subangular blocky structure ; friable ; few roots ; strongly acid ; clear, wavy boundary. 3 to 6 inches thick. IIG-10 to 24 inches +, yellowish-brown (10YR 5/6) and dark yellowish-brown (10YR 4/4) gravelly sandy loam ; loose ; very few roots ; strongly acid. Many feet thick. The silty loess mantle ranges from 5 to 18 inches in thickness over coarse matenal. Homestead soils that formed in less than 10 inches of silty material are mapped as very shallow phases. In some places rounded stones and cobblestones are within 8 inches of the sur- face, and in others a layer of loose fine sand as much as 15 inches thick is immediately beneath the silty material. Homestead silt loam, nearly level (0 to 3 percent slopes) (HoA).-This soil is the second most extensive in the Homestead series. On broad outwash plains it occurs as large tracts, some more than 1,000 acres in size; it also occurs as many small tracts that commonly border the more strongly sloping Homestead soils. In most places this soil formed in loess 10 to 15 inches thick over gravel, but on a large outwash plain southwest of Goose Bay, the loess was about 18 inches thick. Small patches of the nearly level, very shallow Homestead silt loam were included in mapping. A few short slopes of more than 3 percent and some small poorly drained depressions were also included. · Most of the acreage is in trees, but much of it has been cleared and is used for crops 3:nd pasture. Small grains and perennial grasses are the principal crops, but yields are frequently low, as this soil is low in natural fertility and tends to be droughty. If it is adequately fertilized and carefully managed to conserve moisture, it produces satisfactory yields of most crops adapted to the Area. (Management group 8) Homestead silt loam, undulating (3 to 7 percent slopes) (HoB).-This soil is one of the most extensive in the Area. It occurs as scattered, irregular tracts that range from a few acres to several hundred acres in size. It is on outwash plains and low moraines that have short, irregu- lar slopes. The depth to gravelly material ranges from 10 to 18 inches, except where fine sand lies immediately below the silt loam. Patches of very shallow Homestead silt loam and small, poorly drained depressions were included in mapping. Inclusions make up as much as 15 percent of some areas mapped. They are a nuisance to farmers. 22 SOIL SURVEY Much of the acreage is cropland and pasture, but well over half of it is forest. In addition to being moderately droughty, this soil is slightly susceptible to water erosion if cultivated. Al- though small grains and perennial grasses are the princi- pal crops, satisfactory yields of most adapted crops can be obtained through practices that conserve moisture, con- trol erosion, and maintain adequate levels of fertility. (Management group 7) Homestead silt loam, rolling (7 to 12 percent slopes) (HoC).-This soil is extensive on low, rolling moraines. As much as 15 percent of some areas mapped consists of gravelly spots, patches of very shallow Homestead silt loam, and small, poorly drained depressions. The very shallow spots are poorly suited to tillage, and the poorly drained depressions are commonly bypassed in farming operations. · In addition to being moderat_ely droughty, this soil is moderately susceptible to water erosion. Nevertheless, it produces satisfactory yields of most crops adapted to the Area if moisture is conserved, erosion is controlled, and fertility is maintained. (Management group 7) Homestead silt loam, hilly (12 to 20 percent slopes) (HoD).-This soil is fairly eXtensive. It is in many scattered areas that have short, irregular slopes. Patches of very shallow Homestead silt loam, make up as much as 15 per- cent of some areas. A few short, steep slopes were also included. Most of this soil is forested, but a few areas are used for crops or pasture. .· . . . In addition to being droughty, this soil is highly sus- ceptible to erosion. If used for crops, it should be kept in perennial grasses most of the time. (Management group 14) Homestead silt loam, moderately steep (20 to 30 per- cent slo.Pes) (HoE].-The largest area of this soil is on rough, Irregular moraines adjoining Big Lake. Other areas are widely scattered. The thickness of the silty ma- terial varies between 10 and 18 inches within short dis- tances. The substratum is dominantly loose coarse gravelly material, but in places it is slightly firm and compact. Inclusions of stony spots, very shallow Homestead soils, Naptowne soils, and Nancy soils are more common in areas of this soil than in those of the less steep Home- stead soils. Small, gently sloping ridgetops were also included, and a few of these have been cleared for small fi~lds or gardens. This soil is used mainly for permanent pasture and woodland, as the slopes are too steep and irregular for crops. (Management group 20) Homestead silt loam, steep (30 to 45 percent slopes) (Hof) .-This soil occurs as steep, narrow escarpments and hillsides scattered throughout the Area. The silt loam is 10 to 18 inches thick over a coarse gravelly substratum. Very shallow Homestead soils, gravelly spots, and stony areas were included in mapping to the extent of 20 per- cent of some areas. This soil is too steep for crops. It should remain in native vegetation. (Management group 28) Homestead silt loam, very shallow, nearly level (0 to 3 percent slo~ (HsA].-This soil is extensive on broad, nearly level outwash plains. The silt loam is only 6 to 10 inches thick over loose coarse gravelly deposits. Patches of Homestead soils 10 to 15 inches thick over gravel were included in mapping. A few stony patches and a few small, scattered, poorly drained depressions were also included. Most of this soil is forested, but a few tracts are used for crops or pasture. Small grain and hay are the princi- pal crops. This soil is too shallow for row crops. Yields are limited by droughtiness and low fertility. Conserving moisture and maintaining fertility are essential in order to obtain satisfactory yields. (Management group 15) Homestead silt loam, very shallow, undulating (3 to 7 percent slopes) (HsB).-This is the most extensive well- drained soil on uplands. It is on plains and low ridges and occupies tracts that range from a few acres to more than a hundred acres in size. The silt loam is only about 8 inches thick over coarse gravelly deposits. Small patches of Homestead silt loam more than 10 inches thick were included in mapping, to the extent of 15 percent of some areas. Small gravelly patches, a few short steep slopes,· and scattered poorly drained depressions are minor inclusions. Most of this soil supports a native forest of paper birch, white spruce, and aspen, but many areas have been cleared for crops. Small grain and hay are the principal crops, as the soil is too shallow to be suitable for row crops. Droughtiness is a major limitation. Conservation prac- tices that conserve moisture and maintain fertility are required in _order to obtain· satisfactory yields: (Manage- ment group 15) Homestead silt loam, very shallow, rolling (7 to 12 percen't slopes) (HsC).-This soil is extensive on ridges and low hills that have short, irregular slopes. It occurs mostly in the western half of the Area. The silt loam is only about 8 inches thick over loose gravelly material. Included in mapping were areas of Homestead silt loam more than 10 inches thick; spots of stony and gravelly soils; a few short steep slopes; and a few poorly drained depressions. These inclusions make up as much as 15 percent of some mapped areas. Most of the acreage is in native forest consisting mainly of paper birch, white spruce, and quaking aspen, but a few tracts have been cleared and are used for small grain and for hay and pasture. This soil is too shallow for deep tillage. It is droughty and is low in natural fertility. To obtain satisfactory yields of grasses and small grains, conservation practices that conserve moisture and maintain fertility are required. (Management group 15) Homestead silt loam, very shallow, hilly (12 to 20 percent slopes) (HsD).-This soil is extensive in the western half of the Area. It is on hilly moraines that have short, irregular slopes. The silt loam is only 5 to 10 inches thick over coarse gravelly material. In places fine material is mixed with the gravel, and the substratum is moderately firm. Small patches of N aptowne soils and of Homestead soils more than 10 inches thick were included in mapping. Also included were small, poorly drained depressions and minor drainageways. Most of this soil is forested with stands of paper birch, white spruce, and quaking aspen. It is droughty and is too / MATANUSKA-VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 23 shallow for deep tillage. Cleared areas can be seeded to perennial grasses and used for permanent pasture, .but yields are limited by droughtiness. (Management . group 21) · · Homestead silt loam, very shallow, moderately steep (20 to 30 percent slopes) (HsE).-This soil occupies rough moraines in the western half of the Area. The silt loam is only 5 to 10 inches thick over coarse gravelly material. Gravelly spots, small patches of Naptowne soils and of Homestead soils, and a few poorly drained sites included in mapping. This soil is droughty and is highly susceptible to erosion if cover is removed. It should remain in native vegetation. (Management group 21) · Homestead silt loam, very shallow, steep (30 to 45 percent slopes) (Hsf).-This soil is extensive and occurs on long, narrow escarpments, hills, and ridges. The silt loam is only 5 to 10 inches thick over coarse gravelly material. Many stony and gravelly spots were included in mapping, as well as .a few patches of moderately steep Homestead . silt loam. This soil should be kept in native vegetation. (Management group 29) ,Jacobsen Series The Jacobsen series consists of very poorly drained, very stony silt loams in broad depressions, in muskeg bor- ders, and in low areas along secondary streams. These soils are extensive and are widely distributed in the western half of the Area. They are stonier near the surface than the Slikok soils and are lighter colored and less mucky. The Jacobsen soils are generally covered with a thick mat of sphagnum moss and support scattered stands of willows, stunted black spruce, and low-growing shrubs. Representative profile of Jacobsen very stony silt loam in the NW~NW~ sec. 23, T. 17 N., R. 3 W., Seward Meridian: 011-16 inches to 8 inches, mat of sphagnum moss, roots, and decomposing leaves and twigs; strongly acid; gradu- al, -smooth boundary. 3 to 12 inches thick. 012-8 inches to 0, black (5YR 2/1) decomposing mat of moss, woody particles, and leaves; roots plentiful; strongly acid; clear, wavy boundary. 6 to 12 inches thick. A1-0 to 10 inches, very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) very stony silt loam; very dark gray (10YR 3/1) streaks and patches; massive; nonsticky, nonplastic; few roots; strongly acid; clear, wavy boundary. 8 to 24 inches thick. 01-10 to 26 inches, dark olive-gray (5Y 3/2) very stony loam; massive ; slightly sticky, slightly plastic; con- tains many pebbles; extremely acid. 8 to 20 inches thick .. IIC2-26 to 32 inches, light-colored and dark-colored sub- rounded stones, gravel, and sand. Many feet thick. These soils are extremely acid to strongly acid. The organic mat on the surface ranges from 10 to 24 inches in thickness. Jacobsen very stony silt loam, nearly level (0 to 3 percent slopes) (JaA) .-This soil occurs in nearly level de- pressions that range from a few acres to more than a hundred acres in size. Many areas also border large mus- kegs occupied by Salamatof peat. Small areas of Slikok soils and Salamatof peat were included in mapping. This soil is not suitBd to crops. In places the native vegetation provides limited grazing. Artificial drainage is not feasible. (Management group 32) Jacobsen very stony silt loam, gently sloping (3 to 7 percent slopes) (JaB).-This soil is inextensive. It generally occurs in small tracts bordering secondary streams. Small patches of Slikok and Salamatof soils were included in mapping. In places large stones are scattered on the -surface. · This soil is not suited to crops. In places the native vegetation may be suita;ble for light grazing. Drainage is not feasible. (Management group 32) Jim Series The Jim series consists of well-drained soils that formed in silty, wind-laid deposits 20 to 30 inches thick over bedrock. - These soils are on foot slopes of mountains and buttes in the eastern part of the Area. They differ from Boden- burg soils in that they are underlain by solid rock at a depth of less than 30 inches. On south-facing slopes, Jim soils support thick stands of grass, mainly bluejoint, but oil most north-facing slopes they support forests of paper birch, white spruce, and quaking aspen. . .. -.. Representative profile of Jim silt loam in the SW~ SW~ sec. 23, T. 17 N., R. 2 E., Seward Meridian: 01-1% inches to 0, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) mat of decomposing organic matter; gray silt admixture. A1-0 to 5 inches, dark grayish-brown (10YR 4/2) silt loam; very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) patches; weak, fine, subangular blocky structure; very friable; many roots; clear, wavy boundary. 3 to 7 inches thick. 01-5 to 22 inches, olive-gray (5Y 4/2) silt loam; few, fine, faint spots of dark yellowish brown; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure; friable; few, thin, very dark reddish-brown streaks of organic matter; roots plentiful; gradual, wavy boundary. 02-22 to 26 inches, olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) silt loam; mas- sive; friable; few thin lenses of very fine sand; few large roots; abrupt boundary. UC3-26 inches +, bedrock; dark-colored consolidated meta- morphic rock. These soils are strongly acid near the surface and medium acid in the lower layers. A few thin lenses of very fine sand generally occur in the lower layers, and some may occur at any depth. Jim and Boden burg silt loams, hilly (12 to 20 percent slopes) (JbD).-This mapping uni't is of minor extent and occurs on buttes and on mountain foot slopes. The two dominant soils formed in a mantle of silt loam that ranges from 20 to about 60 inches in thickness over bedrock. At the base of Bodenburg Butte the soils are coarser in tex- ture and are similar to the adjoining Susitna very :fine sand. A few rolling tracts, steep slopes, and scattered rock outcrops were included in mapping. These soils are highly susceptible to water erosion and blowing if the vegetative cover is removed. If used for crops, they should be kept in perennial grasses most of the time. (Management group 13) Jim and Bodenburg silt loams, steep (30 to 45 per- cent slopes) (Jbf) .-These soils formed in a silt mantle 20 to 60 inches thick over bedrock. Patches of shallow soils in which the silt is less than 20 inches thick were included, 24 SOIL SURVEY to the extent of 15 percent of some mapped areas. Also included were a few moderately steep slopes that have a ' gradient between 20 and 30 percent. In places bare rock is exposed at the surface. These soils are too steep for crops, but in places the native grasses provide limited grazing for livestock. (Management group 28) Kalifonsky Series The Kalifonsky series consists of somewhat poorly drained silty soils that are moderately deep to deep over coarse gravelly material. These soils are not extensive and occur only in the east- ern half of the Area. They are in slight depressions and on north-facing slopes. They have a coarser textured sub- soil than the Coal Creek soils and the Wasilla soils and are less poorly drained. They are not so well drained as the Bodenburg soils and are mottled. The Kalifonsky soils support dense forests of black spruce and, in places, stands of paper birch. A few nearly level areas are used for crops. Representative profile of Kalifonsky silt loam in the NW~NE~ sec. 19, T. 17 N., R. 2 E., Seward Meridian: 011-6 to 4 inches, mat of sphagnum moss and roots; clear, smooth boundary. 2 to 5 inches thick. 012--4 inches to 0, dark reddish-brown ( 5YR 2/2) mat of moss, roots, and decomposing organic material; clear, smooth boundary. 3 to 6 inches thick. A1-0 to 2¥2 inches, very dark gray (5Y 3/1) silt loam; olive-gray (5Y 4/2) streaks and patches; common, medium, distinct mottles of dark yellowish brown ; weak, medium, granular structure; very friable ; few thin bands of black, finely divided organic matter; roots plentiful; clear, wavy boundary. 1 to 5 inches thick, C1g-2% to, 18 inches, dark-gray (5Y 4/1) silt loam; many, .. medium, prominent mottles of dark reddish brown ; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure; friable; few roots; gradual, wavy boundary. 10 to 20 inches thick. 02-18 to 28 inches, dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 4/2) silt loam; many large, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) patches; massive to very weak, fine, platy structure; very fri- able; abrupt, smooth boundary. 5 to 20 inches thick. IIC3-28 to 40 inches +, olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) coarse sand and gravel with many light-colored and dark-colored fragments ; single grain ; ~oose. Many feet thick. These soils are very strongly acid to strongly acid. The depth to gravelly material ranges from 24 to 30 inches. Kalifonsky silt loam, nearly level ( 0 to 3 percent slopes) (KaA).-This soil is in small, scattered, somewhat poorly drained depressions within larger areas of the well- drained Bodenburg or Knik soils. Several areas are used for crops. Artificial drainage is beneficial. (Management group 11) Kalifonsky silt loam, gently to moderately sloping (3 to 12 percent slopes) (KaC).-This soil is of minor extent. It is in small areas that receive runoff and seepage from soils on bordering slopes. Small patches of the well- drained Bodenburg and Knik soils were included in mapping. A few acres are used for crops. Artificial drainage is neede-d to divert~w-ater that runs off the bordering slopes. (Management group 11) Kalifonsky silt loam, strongly sloping to steep (12 to 45 percent slopes) (KaE).-This soil is on north-facing slopes. It generally has a thicker moss cover and remains frozen later in spring than less steep Kalifonsky soils. Within mapped areas of this soil are inclusions of the well-drained Boderrburg and Knik soils that average less than an acre in size. The thick moss cover, the seepage from bordering slopes, and the north-facing position all contribute to impeded drainage and to a low soil temperature during the growing season. Although this soil is not suitable for cropping, the native vegetation in places may provide light grazing. Because of the erosion hazard, the vegeta- tion should not be disturbed. (Management group 31) Kenai Series The Kenai series consists of well-drained soils that formed in a mantle of silty loess over firm, moderately fine textured glacial till. The Kenai soils in .the Mata- nuska Valley Area differ from the typical Kenai soils elsewhere in that (a) they formed in a thinner mantle of loess, generally less than 10 inches thick; (b) they ha~e an intermediate layer of loam; and (c) they are underlam by finer textured glacial till consisting mostly of weath- ered shale and sandstone. This glacial till is finer textured and firmer than that underlying the N aptowne soils and much finer and firmer than the gravelly material under- lying the Homestead soils. The Kenai soils in the Matanuska Valley Area are of limited extent. They occupy only a few scattered tracts on broad, benchlike ridges near Houston. They support forests consisting mostly of paper birch, white spruce, clumps of alder, and a dense understory of shrubs. Representative profile of Kenai silt loam~ ~he NW~ NE~ sec. 20, T. 18 N., R. 3 W., Seward Meridian: 01-2 inches to 0, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) mat of de- composing organic material; many fine roots and mycelia; abrupt, smooth boundary. 1 to 4 inches thick. A2-D to 1¥2 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/4) silt loam; com- mon, fine, prominent mottles of yellowish red ; weak, thin, platy structure ; very friable ; roots plentiful ; abrupt, irregular boundary. 1 to 3 inches thick. B21-1¥2 to 2 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/4) silt loam; weak, medium, granular structure; very fri- able; roots plentiful; abrupt, broken boundary. 0 to 1% inches thick. B22--2 to 4 inches, strong-brown (7.5YR 5/6) gritty silt loam; patches of brown and yellowish brown; weak, medium, granular structure; very friable; roots plentiful; clear, wavy boundary. 2 to 4 inches thick. B3---4 to 10 inches, dark yellowish-brown (10YR 4/4) heavy loam ; massive; friable; few rounded pebbles and stones; gradual, smooth boundary. 3 to 10 inches thick. IIC1-10 to 20 inches, dark grayish"brown (10YR 4/2) sandy clay loam; large, faint patches of dark gray; mas- sive; friable when moist; few roots; subangular arrd angular stones comprise about 20 percent of the soil mass; gradual, smooth boundary. 5 to 30 inches thick. IIC2--20 to 32 inches, light olive-brown (2.5Y 5/4) clay loam; common, medium, distinct mottles of strong . brown; massive; firm; many coarse fragments of unweath- ered shale and sandstone ·and other angular and sub- angular stones. ·Many feet thick. MATANUSK.I\ VALJ,EY AREA, ALASKA 25 Kenai soi ls are strongly acid throughout. In places, stones a r e fairly numerou s on or n ear t h e surface . Kenai silt loam, undulating (3 to 7 p ercent sl opes) (KeB).-This so il commonl y occu rs as scattered tracts where slope is betw·een 3 and 7 percent. Included in mapping were a few small rolling to hilly t ract s t hat have a slope of as much as 20 percent. Also included were a few stony patc~es . Small drainageways _and_w~t se~page spots occur wi t lun t h e mapped areas. Th1s so1l JS smted to crops that r equire only shallow tillage. (M anagement group 15) 4 Knik Series The Knik series consists of well-drained silty soils that are shallow over coar se g ravelly material. These soils are on nearly l evel to rolling plains and hilly to steep, rough moraines. The Knik soils are extensive over a broad zone in the central part of the Area. They grade t o the B odenburg and D oone soils in the east and to Homestead so ils in the west. They are browner than the Bodenburg soils, are shallower to gravel than the Doone soil s, and h ave less prominen t so il horizons than the Homestead soi ls. The Knik soil s support a forest con sisting mostly o:f paper birch, white spruce , and quaking aspen, but many areas are in crops or pasture. A profil e of Knik silt loam is shown in fi g ure 9. Representative profile of K n ik silt loam in the N"VV% SE1,4 sec. 17, T. 17 N., R. 1 E ., Seward Meri dian: 011--4 to 3% inches, forest litter. 012-3% inches to 0, ver y d a rk br ow n (lO YR 2 /3) to very dark grayish-brown (lOYR 2/2, 3/2) mat of roots and partly decomposed organic material ; many very fine g r anules of very dark brown silt loam; few mycelia; abrupt, s mooth bound ary. A2-0 to 3 i nches, gray (N 5/0) silt loam mottled with red- dish brown; weak , fine, subangular blocky structure; friable ; many r oots, especially in upper par t of horizon; strongly acid; a brupt, wavy boundary. 2 to 6 inches thick. B2-3 to 7 inches, mixed d ark-br own (10Y R 3/3) and dark- g r ay (5Y 4/1) silt l oam; fine spots of dark r eddish brown; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure; friable; few roots; f ew, fine , d ark-colored concre- tions; str ongly acid; clear , wavy boundary. 3 to 6 i n ch es thick. Cl-7 to 12 inches, g r ay (5Y 5 /1) s ilt l oam ; spots of dark yellowish b rown (10YR 4 /4 ) and a few horizontal str eaks of very d a r k brown (1 0YR 2/2) ; massive, but breaks under pressure into poorly defined thin plates; few roots; medium acid; gradual boundary. 4 to 6 inches thick. C2--12 to 19 inches, mixed d a r k-brown (lOYR 4/3) and olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) silt loam; thicker str eaks of ver y d ark brown (lOYR 2 /2) t h an in C1 horizon, and few streaks of r eddish yellow (7.5YR 6/6); mas- si ve; friable; few r oots; medium acid; abrupt b oundar y . 5 to 8 inches thick. IIC3-19 to 32 inches +, ver y gravelly coar se sand. Many feet thick. In places as much as 12 inch es of fine sand underlies the silt mantle. Knik s ilt loam, nearly level (0 to 3 percent slopes) (KnA).-This is one of the most extensive well-draine d soils in the Area. It occurs mostly on broad terraces and • Because the Kenai soil in the Ma tanu ska Valley Ar ea i s shal- lower than Kenai soils in other areas, it is in a d ifferent manage- ment gr oup. Figure 9.-Profile of Knik silt loam. D e pth to underlying gravel and sand is a bout ·18 inches . plains. It formed in a silty mantle that is ordinar ily about 1& inches in thickness over very gravelly coar se sand but ranges from 12 to 24 inches. A few narrow escarpments and poorly drained d epressions were in- cluded in mapp ing. I n places, they limit far ming. All of the cr ops adapted .to the Area can be g r own on thi s soil, but yields ar e u sually less than on deeper soils, largely because of a lower moisture-supplying capacity. Satisfactory yields of most crops can be obtained if mois- t ure is co n ser ved and fer tility is maintai ned. In l arge fields this soil is moderately susceptible to blowing. (Management group 8) Knik silt loam, undulating (3 to 7 percent slopes) (KnB).-This is one of the 1nost extensive well-drained soils in the Area. It consists of scattered tracts, from a few acres to more than a hundred acres in size, on t erraces 26 SOIL SURVEY and plains. A :few narrow escarpments and poorly drained depressions were included in mapping. In places, they limit farming. This soil tends to be droughty. It is susceptible to water erosion and moderately susceptible to blowing if the surface is exposed. If erosion is controlled and the soil is otherwise well managed, all of the crops adapted to the Area can be grown. (Management group 7) Knik silt loam, rolling (7 to 12 percent slopes) (KnC).- This soil is on scattered knolls and irregular ridges that have short, choppy slopes~ It is moderately extensive. A few steeper slopes were included in mappmg, and there are small, scattered, poorly drained depressions. This soil is suited to all of the crops adapted to the .Area, but conservation practices are needed to control erosion if row crops are grown (Management group 7) Knik silt loam, hilly (12 to 20 percent slopes) (KnD).- This soil is in scattered areas that have short, complex slopes. Poorly drained areas in small, deep del?ress10ns and a few slopes of more than 20 percent were mcluded in mapping. If used for crops, this soil should be kept in perennial grasses most of the time. It is susceptible to erosion, which is difficult to control on these steep slopes when the surface is exposed. (Management group 14) Knik silt loam, moderately steep (20 to 30 percent slopes) (KnE).-This soil is on narrow terrace escarpments and on rough, choppy terrain. Most of the acreage · is forested, but a few small tracts are used for hay or pasture. The erosion hazard is severe, and erosion on these steep slopes is difficult to control if the surface is exposed. (Management group 20) Knik silt loam, steep (30 to 45 percent slopes) (KnF).- This soil is extensive on steep escarpments and irregular ridges. It is too steep for farming and should remain ih native vegetation. (Management group 28) Matanuska Series The Matanuska series consists o:f well-drained soils that are shallow over gravelly material. These soils formed in a layer o:f silty mater'ial about 10 inches thick over a moderately fine textured layer. These soils are not extensive and occur only on a few broad, low, nearly level terraces in the eastern part o:f the .Area. They are better drained than the Wasilla soils or Coal Creek soils and are distinguished from the Susitna soils and Bodenburg soils by having a firmer, finer tex- tured subsoil layer. The Matanuska soils support a forest consisting mainly of white spruce and paper birch, but a few small areas are cleared. Representative profile o:f Matanuska silt loam in the SW%.SE%. sec. 35, T. 18 N., R. 2 E., Seward Meridian: 01-2% inches to 1 inch, mat of leaves and decomposing organic matter; clear, smooth boundary. 1 to 3 inches thick. 02-1 inch to 0, black (5YR 2/1) mat of finely divided or· ganic matter; many fine roots; mycelia ; abrupt, smooth boundary. % inch to 1% inches thick. A1-0 to 5 inches, dark-gray (5YR 4/1) silt loam; common, fine,_@stinct mottles of dark brown ; weak, fine, granular structure ; friable; many fine roots; clear, wavy boundary. 3 to 6 inches thick. C1-5 to 9 inches, patches and streaks of dark grayish- brown (2.5Y 4/2), dark yellowish-brown (10YR 4/4), and dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) silt loam; weak, fine, granular structure; very friable; roots plentiful; · abrupt, smooth boundary. 3 to 8 inches thick. IIC2-9 to 18 inches, olive (5Y 5/3) silty clay loam; weak, : medium, subangular blocky structure that breaks to weak, fine, granular; firm; few roots; gradual, wavy • boundary. 8 to 14 inches thick. IIIC3-18 to 32 inches +, olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) coarse · sand and gravel that contains dark-colored and light-· colored rounded stones and cobblestones; structure-· less ; loose. Many feet thick. Under the organic mat, the silty material ranges from 5 to 15 inches in thickness, and the moderately fine tex-. tured underlying layer ranges from 5 to 10 inches in· thickness. In places fine material is mixed with the grav- elly substratum. The depth to gravel ranges from 12 to' 24 inches. Matanuska silt loam (nearly level) (Ma).-This soil is · on a few broad, nearly level, low terraces in the eastern part of the .Area, adjoining the Bodenburg and Knik ; soils. Included in mapping were a few small undulating areas in which slopes are slightly steeper than 3 percent. Small patches of the Bodenburg and Knik soils were also included. Most o:f this soil is forested, but scattered tracts are . used :for crops. It is suited to crops, but yields are some- what low because o:f the slowly permeable layer and the shallowness to gravel. (Management group 10) Mixed Alluvial Land Mixed alluvial land (Mil is e:rtensive on the flood plains of secondary streams. It occurs as low, nearly level, . :frequently flooded areas. Most of it consists of : medium-textured to very coarse textured recent secHment.s ; that range from a few inches to several :feet in thickness over loose cobblestones, stones, and boulders. Irregular patches o:f silty and very fine sandy sediments, as well as stony and gravelly spots, are common. There are many sloughs and secondary channels, which carry excess water . when the main stream channels are full. Most of this " land type is flooded from one to several times each year, · but a :few, small, elevated spots on natural levees are flooded only rarely. The native vegetation varies. It consists mainly of dense alder and willow thickets, scattered stands of cot- tonwood (balsam poplar), paper birch, and white spruce, and patches of native grass. This land is not suited to cultivated crops, but the native grass can be grazed lightly for short periods of time. (Management group 33) Moose River Series The Moose River series consists of poorly drained soils that formed in silty and sandy water-laid sediments. These soils are in depressions and low areas bordering lakes and secondary streams. The Moose River soils are not so dark colored as the Slikok soils, and they have a coarser textured subsoil than the Coal Creek and Wasilla soils. The native vegetation consists of alder and willow, scattered stands o:f black spruce, and patches of grass. MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 27 ground cover of sphagnum moss, sedges, and low- . shrubs is common. R.,,...,,...,,pntative profile of Moose River s!lt loam in the sec. 11, T. 17 N., R. 4 W., Seward Meridian: inches to 0, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) ma:t of decomposing moss, leaves, and twigs; many roots; abrupt, wavy boundary. 'f· :;.: A1-0 to 6 inches, very dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 3/2) silt ~ }t · loam ; weak, fine, granular. structure; nonsticky and nonplastic; many roots; few streaks and patches of black (10YR 2/1); extremely acid; clear, smooth boundary. 01-6 to 14 inches, olive-gray (5Y 4/2) fine sand; single grain; loose; few streaks and patches of dark brown (lOYR 3/3) ; few thin lenses of silt; few roots; extremely acid; gradual boundary. C2g-14 to 38 inches, dark-gray (5Y 4/1), stratified fine sand and silt loam; few, large, distinct, olive-brown mot- tles; massive; nonsticky and non plastic; strata are % inch to 3 inches thick; very strongly acid; clear, smooth boundary. IIC3g-38 to 48 inches +, dark-gray (5Y 4/1) very gravelly . coarse sand ; single grain ; loose. · , The w:ater table is a;t or near the surface for lo;ng peri- ·. ~· ods durillg the growillg season, but ill places It drops ' rapidly to several feet below the surface during extended Ary periods. The surface layer ranges from silt loam to fine sandy loam. Below the surface layer the soil is domi- hant~y san_dy but contains lenses of silty material of . varyillg tlnckne~s. The depth to coarse. sand and gravel · ,ranges from 27 illches to more than 40 illches. Moose River silt loam (nearly level) (Mr).-This soil is moderately extensive and is widely scattered in depres- sions and on small, low alluvial plains bordering second- ·:ary _streams. Inc~u~e;d in mapping were a few gently · .. slopillg tracts adJOillillg uplands. Patches of Salamatof ,peat and Jacobsen very stony silt loam were also included. · Artificial drainage is generally not feasible. In places _ the native grasses and sedges provide limited grazing. 1 (Management group 27) ;·,,;~Nancy Series m,;·. The Nancy series consists of well-drained silty soils '~:r·that are moderately deep to deep over thick deposits of ,.:)oose sand and gravel. •. ; , · T~ese soils are on ~earl;r level high terraces and gently .. :slopillg to steep morailles ill the northwestern part of the >,/Area. They formed in a thicker mantle of silt than the .;~··Homestead soils. They differ from the Naptowne soils in {~that they are underlain at a depth of 20 to 30 inches by >)oose gravelly deposits rather than firm glacial till. ;\ The Nancy soils support a forest of paper birch, white :,,spruce,_ and quaking aspen. They are of relatively minor ~xtent ill the Area, and only a few small tracts have been cleared for crops. ' Representative profile of Nancy silt loam in the NW:IA, ,cSE:tA, sec. 17, T. 19 N., R. 4 W., Seward Meridian: 01-3 inches to 0, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) mat of de- composing organic material; many fine roots; my- celia; clear, smooth boundary. 1 to 5 inches thick. A2-0 to 1% inches, light-gray (10YR 6/1) silt loam; weak, fine, platy structure; friable ; roots plentiful; abrupt, irregular boundary. 1 to .4 inches thick. B21-1% to 2% inches, reddish-brown (5YR 4/4) silt loam; weak, medium, granular structure; very friable; roots plentiful; abrupt, wavy boundary. % inch to- 1% inches thick. B22-2% to 6 inches, strong-brown (7.5YR 5/6) silt loam; weak, medium, granular structure; very friable; roots plentiful; abrupt, wavy boundary. 3 to 10 inches thick. A2b-6 to 7 inches, grayish-brown (2.5Y 5/2) silt loam; weak, fine, granular structure; very friable ; roots plentiful; abrupt, broken boundary. 0 to 1% inches thick. B2b-7 to 7% inches, dark-brown (7.5YR 4/4) silt loam; weak, medium, granular structure; very friable ; roots plentiful; abrupt, wavy boundary. % inch to 2 inches thick. B3b-7% to 16 inches, dark yellowish-brown (10YR 4/4) silt loam; weak, medium, subangular blocky structure; friable; few roots; clear, wavy boundary. 6 to 12 inches thick. 01-16 to 21 inches, olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) silt loam; mas- sive; friable; few roots; clear, smooth boundary. 2 to 12 inches thick. IIC2-21 to 32 inches, olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) and olive (5Y 4/3) gravelly sand; single grain; loose; a few weakly cemented fragments. Many feet thick. These soils are very strongly acid, especially near the surface. The silty loess mantle ranges from 18 to more than 30 inches in thickness. Thin layers of very fine sand ~nd fine sand occur in some places below a depth of 15 illches. In places the silty material is underlain by deep fine to medium sand that contains many pebbles. ' Nancy s~lt l?a!l', nearly level (0 'to 3 percent slopes) (NaA).-;-This s01l1s on a few, broad, nearly level, high ter- races ill the northwestern part of the Area. It formed in a silty mantle that is 20 to 24 inches thick over loose grave~ly or sandy deposits. The silty layer is more uni- form ill depth to gravel than is the corresponding layer of the steeper Nancy soils. A few patches of Homestead soils were included in mapping. Most of this soil is forested, but a few tracts are used for crops. All crops adapted to the Area can be grown if an adequate level of fertility is maintained. (Manage- ment group 2) Nancy s_ilt l_oa;m, undulati~g (3 to 7 percent slopes) (NaB).-This sOil Is on undulatillg terraces. It formed in a silty ~antle about 20 inches thick over gravelly or sandy material. A few spots of shallow Homestead silt loam and a few short slopes of as much as 12 percent were included in mapping. Most of this soil is in native vegetation, but a few tracts are used for crops. All crops adapted to the Area can be gr?wn~ but the soil . is slightly susceptible to wa~er erosiOn If the surface IS ·exposed. Simple conser- vatiOn measures are generally adequate. (Management group 4) Nancy silt loam, rolling (7 to 12 percent' slopes) (NaC).-This soil occurs as small, scattered areas on moraines. The slopes are short. The silty mantle ranges generally from 18 to 30 inches in thickness within short distances but is shallower in places. Small, scattered poorly drained depressions and a few short slopes of a~ much as 20 percent were included in mapping. This soil is not extensive and is mostly forested. It is suited to all crops grown in the .Area, but conservation practices are needed to control water erosion if row crops are grown. (Management group 6) Nancysiltloam,hilly (12to20percentslopes) (NaD).- This soil is on moraines. The slopes are short. The depth to gravel ranges from 18 to 3f? inches within short dis- tances. .A few rolling areas, a few. moderately steep 28 SOIL SURVEY slopes, and small patches of Homestead soils were ill- eluded in mapping. This soil is not extensive, and most of it is forested. Although it can be used for crops, it should be kept in perennial grasses most of the time because it is suscep- tible to water erosion if the vegetation is removed. (Man- agement group 13) Nancy silt loam, moderately steep (20 to 30 percent slopes) (NaE).-This is the most extensive of the Nancy soils. The silty mantle ranges from 18 to 36 inches in thickness. Included in mapping were a few areas of Homestead silt loam, a few small poorly drained depres- sions, and about 100 acres of steep slopes. The erosion hazard is severe if the surface is exposed. Therefore, cleared areas should be kept in grass, and steep areas should remain in forest. (Management group 20) N aptowne Series The Naptowne series consists of well-drained soils on glacial moraines in the western part of the Area. These soils are nearly level to steep. They formed in silty, wind- laid material that is shallow to moderately deep over gravelly glacial till. The till is not so coarse or so loose as the material underlying the Nancy and Homestead soils and it is not so fine or so firm as that underlying the· Kenai soils. Naptowne soils are moderately extensive. They support forests consisting dominantly of paper birch and white spruce and interspersed patches of alder. A small acre- age has been cleared and is farmed. Representative profile of Naptowne silt loam ~n. the NE%,SE%, sec. 26, T. 16 N., R. 4 W., Seward Meridian: 02--4 inches to 0, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2), partly . . decomposed organic matter. .A2---0 to 1% inches, gray ( 10YR 5/1) silt loam ; weak, very thin, platy structure breaking to weak, fine, gran- ular; very friable; extremely acid; abrupt, irregu- lar boundary. B21-1% to 3 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/4) and red- dish"brown (5YR 4/4) silt loam; moderate, very fine, granular structure; very friable; extremely acid; clear, wavy boundary. B22-3 to 5 inches, brown (7.5YR 4/4) silt loam; weak, very fine, granular structure; very friable; extremely acid; clear, wavy boundary. B3-5 to 10 inches, dark yellowish-brown (10YR 4/4) silt loam; weak, very fine, granular structure; very fri- able; extremely acid; clear, smooth boundary. · C1-10 to 15 inches, light olive-brown (2.5Y 5/4) silt loam; very weak, thin, platy structure; very friable; many pinholes; extremely acid; abrupt, wavy boundary. IIC2-15 to 24 inches, olive-gray (5Y 4/2) gravelly sandy loam ; weak, thin, platy structure that breaks to single grain under slight pressure ; friable to firm ; contains pockets of gravelly silt loam that has a weak, very thin, platy structure; a few angular and subrounded stones and boulders ; very strongly acid. The silty loess mantle ranges from 15 to 30 inches in thickness. In a few places, a fine sandy layer as much as 12 inches thick occurs immediately under the silty mate- rial. The underlying till contains varying quantities of Hne-grained material. In places scattered stones and boul- ders are on or near the surface. Naptowne silt loam, nearly level ( 0 to 3 percent slopes) (NpA).-This soil commonly occurs on broad, smooth moraines. In most places, the soil profile is similar · to the one described for the series, but in the vicinity of Goose Bay, the silty mantle is commonly about 24 to 30 . inches thick and is underlain by a layer of fine sand over . firm glacial till. ·•· The slope is generally 2 or 3 percent, but small areas ' with a slope of as much as 5 percent were included in mapping. Slight depressions and drainageways occupied by somewhat poorly drained soils were also included. · Patches of stones interfere with tillage in some places. This soil can be used for all crops grown in the Area, but yields are generally lower than on deeper soils. (Man-• agement group 2) . Naptowne silt loam, undulating (3 to 7 percent slopes) ·• (NpB).-Most of this soil is on low, broad glacial moraines. ; In the vicinity of Goose Bay, the silty mantle is 24 inches . thick over till, but elsewhere it ranges from 15 to 30 inches in thickness. Long, very narrow, winding ridges occupied by shallow, :. gravelly Homestead soils are common inclusions in mapped areas several miles northeast of Big Lake. These inclusions interfere with tillage. In places stones are a : nuisance also, unless they are removed. This soil can be used for crops, but yields of most crops · are likely to be lower than on deeper soils. If row crops : · are grown, conservation measures are generally needed to 1 control erosion. All crops adapted to the Area can be • grown if fertility is maintained. (Management group 4) Naptowne silt loam, rolling (7 to 12 percent slopes) (NpC).-This soil is on low glacial moraines. It formed in silty material 15 to 30 inches thick over moderately firm glacial till. The slopes are short and irregular. Areas range from 10 to 100 acres in size. Scattered wet ' spots, minor tracts of shallow soils, and a few short slopes of as much as 20 percent were included in mapping. These inclusions occupy as much as 15 percent of some areas and may interfere with cultivation or limit the extent of cleared fields. In places, stones are a nuisance also, unless they are removed. This soil is suited to crops, but cleared fields are moder- ately susceptible to water erosion. Erosion generally can be controlled by simple conservation measures. (Manage- ment group 6) Naptowne silt loam, hilly (12 to 20 percent slopes) (NpD).-This soil is on glacial moraines. The slopes are short, and the silty mantle ranges from 15 to 30 inches in thickness within distances of a few yards. Small spots of Homestead soils, stony patches, and a few small depres- sions were included in mapping. In a few places there are slopes of as much as 30 percent. This soil is suited to crops but should be kept in grass most of the time. It is not suited to row crops, as it is highly susceptible to erosion if the vegetative cover is removed. (Management group 13) . Naptowne silt loam, moderately steep (20 to 30_per-" cent slopes) (NpE).-This soil is on rough, irregular ter- rain. The slopes are short and choppy. The silty cap ranges from 15 to 30 inches in thickness within short dis- tances. Small shallow spots, stony pa;tches, a few deep, poorly drained depressions, and slopes exceeding 30 per- cent were included in mapping. MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA 29 . The use of this soil is limited to pasture or woodland, because of the slope. (Management group 20) Naptowne silt loam, steep (30 to 45 percent slopes) . (Npf).-This soil is on rough, irregular terrain. Stony places, pat?hes of sl~allow s?ils, and small, deep depres- sions were mcluded m mappmg. This soil should be kept in native vegetation, as it is ·highly susceptible to erosion if the vegetative cover is removed. (Management group 28) iklason Series The Niklason series consists of well-drained soils that formed in shallow to moderately deep, well-sorted layers .. of water-laid silt, very fine sand, and fine sand over coarse gravelly material. . These soils are on low plains bordering the major rivers · · ·. and streams. They commonly adjoin the Susitna soils, ·. which formed in deeper sediments. ' The Niklason soils support forests of paper birch and . ·white spruce and, in places, large cottonwoo~ (balsam ;:., ... ~·poplar) trees . .A. heavy understory of alder, willow, and ;;, ·· shrubs is common. .A. considerable area has been cleared and is farmed. :·:r' ·: ··· :'~· Representative profile of Niklason silt loam i;n . the NW1,4SW% sec. 35, T. 18 N., R. 2 W., Seward Meridian: 01-2¥2 inches to 0, very dark brown (10YR 2/2) mat of decomposing organic matter; many fine roots; abrupt, .smooth boundary. A1-0 to 1% inches, very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) silt loam that has a few black and very dark brown streaks; weak, fine, granular structure; very friable; many roots; clear, smooth boundary. 01-1¥2 to 4¥2 inches, very dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 3/2) and dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 4/2) silt loam that has a few fine streaks of dark brown ; weak, thin, platy structure; very friable; roots common; clear, smooth boundary. 02--4¥2 to 10 inches, dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 4/2) very fine sandy loam that has streaks and patches of olive gray and very dark ·grayish brown; very weak, thin, platy structure; very friable; roots common; abrupt, smooth boundary. 03-10 to 14 inches, olive-gray (5Y 4/2) silt loam that has a few small patches of brown; weak, thin, platy struc- ture ; friable ; few thin lenses of very fine sand ; few roots; abrupt, smooth boundary. 04--14 to 19 inches, olive-gray (5Y 4/2.) very fine sand; loose; few, thin, dark grayish-brown streaks.; few roots; clear, smooth boundary. II05-19 to 30 inches +. olive (5Y 4/3) gravelly coarse sand; loose; many light-colored and dark-colored pebbles and cobblestones. These soils are very strongly acid to strongly acid. The texture of the surface layer ranges from silt loam to very fine sand. The sorted layers of silt, very fine sand, and . -fine sand vary in number and thickness. The depth to gravelly material ranges from 15 to 2'7' inches. Niklason silt loam (0 to 3 percent slopes) (Ns).-This soil is moderately extensive on plains along the Mata- nuska River. It is dominantly silty but contains layers of .... • very fine sand. In most places it is underlain by gravelly · deposits at a depth of 15 to 20 inches; in some places it is deeper to gravel. Patches of shallower soils, small tracts of Susitna soils, and scattered spots of Niklason very fine sand were included in mapping . .A.lso included were a few undulating slopes of between 3 and 7 percent. Abandoned stream channels, 1 or 2 feet lower than the surrounding plains, are fairly common. The soil in these channels is essentially the same as on the plains, but the steep banks interfere with farming operations. Most crops adapted to the .A.rea can be grown on this soil, although it is shallow and has a low moisture- supplying capacity. Yields are limited by droughtiness. Large fields in the vicinity of Palmer are susceptible to -blowing. (Management group 9) Niklason very fine sand (0 to 3 percent slopes) (Nv).- .A.lthough this soil is dominantly very fine sand, it con- tains many thin layers of silt. Except for the difference in texture, it is similar to Niklason silt loam and occurs in the same general areas. The depth to gravel is between 15 and 20 inches in most places, but in some it is as much as 2'7' inches. Small tracts of Susitna soils, Niklason silt loam, and Chena silt loam were included in mapping . .A. few undulating slopes were also included, and abandoned stream channels are fairly common. This soil is suited to most crops adapted to the .A.rea, although it is moderately droughty. Cultivated fields near Palmer are susceptible to blowing. (Management group 9) Reedy Series !he Reedy seri~ c?nsists of moderately well drained s01l.s that formed 1;n silty and very fine sandy, water-laid sednnents underlam by moderately fine textured tidal deposits. · These soils are on natural levees along streams that flow through nearly level, stabilized plains of Tidal marsh. The levees are only a few feet higher than the surround- ing plains. The native vegetation consists of scattered clumps of cottonwood (balsam poplar) trees and dense thickets of willow and alder brush. Patches of native grass are common. Representative profile of Reedy silt loam SW%,NW%, sec. 26, T. 1'7' N., R. 1 E., Seward Meridian: 01-1 inch to 0, black (5YR 2/1) mat of decomposing leaves and twigs mixed with finely divided organic matter and a few mineral grains; abrupt, smooth boundary. 1 to 2 inches thick. A1-0 to 3 inches, dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 4/2) very fine sandy loam; very dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) streaks; thin silty lenses; very weak, medium, pl~ty structure that breaks to weak, fine, granular; fnable; many roots; clear, wavy boundary. 2 to 5 inches thick. 01-3 to 18 inches, olive-gray (5Y 4/2) silt loam; thin lenses of very fine sandy loam; few, fine, distinct mottles of dark brown; weak, medium, platy structure; roots common; clear, smooth boundary. 10 to 30 inches thick . II02-18 to 40 inches, greenish-gray (5GY 5/1) silty clay loam; common, medium, distinct mottles of dark yellowish brown; massive; friable. Many feet thick. The upper layers are dominantly silty but range to very fine sand. In places, pockets of very fine sand occur in the underlying, slowly permeable, moderately fine textured ma;terial. Reedy silt loam (0 to 3 percent slopes) (Re).-This soil is inextensive. It occurs as narrow strips on natural levees along streams that flow through the tidal plains along Knik .A.rm. Small patches of Tidal marsh and very nar- 30 SOIL SURVEY row s~ndy strips adjoining some streams were included in mappmg. All crops commonly grown in the Area can be grown on this' soil, but yields are limited by lack of moisture during extended dry periods. (Management group 10) Rough Mountainous Land Rough mountainous land (Rm) consists of very steep rough areas on buttes and mountain slopes. Slopes vary abruptly. They range from 45 to more than 100 percent in gradient and are broken by numerous cliffs. Bedrock is exposed in many places, but in most places it is covered by a thin mantle of loess. This land commonly borders Jim soils, and patches of Jim soils were included in map- ping. Patches of grass or clumps of white birch, white spruce, and quaking aspen are common where there is a thin covering of silt. This land is not suited to farming and is poorly suited to forestry. (Management group 35) Salamatof Series The Salamatof series consists of very poorly drained, deep peat soils in nearly level muskegs. They are the most extensive organic soils in the Area. The peat material is dominantly coarse and is derived chiefly from sphagnum moss and sedges. . 'I1he native vegetation consists of a thick mat of sphag- nunl moss, plus bog birch, willows, scattered sedges, and many kinds of low-growing plants common in northern muskegs. In places there are forests of black spruce. Representative profile of Salamatof peat in the SW%, SW%, sec. 16, T. 17 N., R. 3 W., SewardMeridian: 0 to 10 inches, undecomposed moss peat ; strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) when wet, light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) when squeezed dry; a few pockets of coarse sedge peat; roots of woody shrubs plentiful; extremely acid ; gradual boundary. 10 to 50 inches+, moss peat; dark reddish brown (5YR 3/3) when wet, dark yellowish brown (7.5YR 4/4) when squeezed dry; interlayered. with sedge peat; contains a few layers of finely divided peat; many woody fragments; thin min- eral layer near bottom of horizon ; extremely acid ; 30 inches to mapy feet thick. Salamatof peat (Sa).-This is the most extensive soil in the Area. It is in level muskegs that range from a few acres to several hundred acres in size. A few areas of poorly drained mineral soils along small streams or around muskegs were included in mapping. Except for scattered black spruce trees, 80 percent of . the acreage is not forested. Stands of paper birch, willows, and stunted slow-growing black spruce occupy the other 20 percent. The water table is usually near the· surface, but it fluctuates and, in places, drops to a depth of several feet during extended dry periods. This soil has no potential value for crops. Artificial drainage is not feasible. (Management group 34) Salamatof peat, ever frozen variant (20 to 45 percent slopes) (Sf).-This soil is on the north-facing slopes of sharp ridges southwest of Palmer. The peat consists mostly of extremely acid.,... undecomposed moss. It is perennially frozen below a depth of 15 to 30 inches. The native vege- tation consists of stunted black spruce, low-growing shrubs, and a surface layer of live moss. This soil is not suitable for crops or pasture and should remain in native vegetation. (Management group 34) Schrock Series The Schrock series consists of well drained to moder- ately well drained soils that formed in thick deposits of water-laid silty and fine sandy material underlain by coarse sand and gravel. The upper layers are dominantly silty, and the lower layers are dominantly very fine sand. These soils are on nearly level and undulating plains along some of the streams that flow from the Talkeetna Mountains. They are browner than the Susitna soils. The Schrock soils support forests that consist mostly of paper birch and white spruce, but patches of alder, wil- low, and large cottonwood (balsam poplar) trees are fairly common. Representative profile of Schrock silt loam in the NE%, NW%, sec. 19, T. 18 N., R. 1 W., Seward Meridian: 011-3 to 2 inches, mat of undecomposed leaves, stems, and twigs; abrupt, smooth boundary. 1 to 3 inches thick. 012-2 inches to 0, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) mat of decomposing organic material; many fine roots and mycelia; extremely acid; abrupt, wavy boundary. 1 to 4 inches thick. A.ll-0 to 1 inch, dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/2) silt loam; weak, fine, granular structure; very friable; many fine roots ; extremely acid ; abrupt, irregular bound- ary. % inch to 3 inches thick. ·A.12-1 inch to 3 inches, dark-brown (7.5YR 3/2) silt loam; patches of dark grayish brown; weak, medium, gran- ular structure ; friable; roots abundant; extremely acid; clear, wavy boundary. 2 to 6 inches thick. B2-3 to 8 inches, dark-brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam; com- mon, fine, distinct mottles of reddish brown ; weak, medium, granular structure; friable; roots plentiful; very strongly acid ; clear, wavy boundary. 2 to 12 inches thick. B3-8 to 22 inches, patchy dark yellowish-brown (10YR 4/4) and dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 4/2) silt loam; lenses of very fine sand; weak, thin, platy structure; fri- able; few roots; very strongly acid; gradual, s:.;nooth boundary. 6 to 18 inches thick. 01-22 to 34 inches, dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 4/2) very fine sand and silt strata; few, thin, dark-brown streaks; massive; friable; micaceous; strongly acid; clear, smooth boundary. 10 to 20 inches thick. IIC2-34 to 52 inches, olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) sandy and gravelly strwta with thin lenses of olive-gray silt loam; micaceous; single grain; loose; strongly acid. Many feet thick. These soils are extremely acid near the surface and strongly acid in the lower layers. The upper mineral lay- ers are dominantly silty but contain fine sandy layers that vary in number and thickness. Black fragments of char- coal and reddish-brown pockets of organic matter are buried in the upper part of the profile. The depth to coarse sandy and gravelly material ranges from 24 to 50 inches. Schrock silt loam, nearly level (0 to 3 percent slopes) (ShA).-This is the more extensive soil in the Schrock series. It is on low terraces and plains near secondary streams and, in places, is dissected by a few abandoned stream channels as much as 3 feet deep. Small patches of Susitna soils and Gravelly alluvial land were included in mapping. In a few places this soil is flooded for short periods. Most of it is forested, but a few small tracts have been MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA 31 cleared and are used for crops. It is suited to all crops adapted to the Area. (Management group 1) Schrock silt loam, undulating (3 to 7percent slopes) (ShB).-This soil is of minor extent. It occurs as small scat- .tered areas near secondary streams. Generally, it contains ·. more fine sand in the upper layers and is shallower to coarse sand and gravel than Schrock silt loam, nearly '.level. Small inclusions of Homestead soils are fairly common. This soil is suited to all crops adapted to the Area, but "' it is slightly susceptible to erosion if cultivated. (Man- agement group 3) Sea Cliffs Sea cliffs (SI) rise more than 100 feet abov.e several of the beaches along Knik Arm near Goose Bay. Moderately fine textured silty and sandy sediments are exposed in the lower parts of these cliffs; gravelly material is generally exposed in the upper parts. . Most areas are barren of vegetation, but a few partly stabilized areas support patches of alder and willow and a few birch trees. This land is not suitable for crops or for grazing. (Management group 35) Slikok Series The Slikok series consists of poorly drained, very dark colored soils that formed in mucky and silty sediments along secondary drainageways, in seepage areas, and on lowlands around lakes and muskegs. These soils are mod- erately extensive and are scattered throughout the Area. These soils have a thick, black, mucky surface layer and a very dark colored silty and mucky subsoil. They are darker than the \V asilla and Torpedo Lake soils, and they lack the firm, moderately fine textured subsoil that is typi- cal of those soils. They are darker than the Coal Creek soils. The dominant vegetation consists of alder, willow, and paper birch, but in places there are patches of grass grow- ing in large tussocks. Representative profile of Slikok mucky silt loam. in the SE1,4SE1,4 sec. 1, T. 1'7 N., R. 1 vV., Seward Meridian: 01-12 to 7 inches, black (5YR 2/1) mat of decomposing organic material; clear, smooth boundary. 2 to 6 inches thick. 02-7 inches to 0, black ( 5YR 2/1), finely divided, decom- posing organic matter containing a few coarse woody particles; many roots; gradual, smooth boundary. 3 to 15 inches thick. A1-0 to 8 inches, black (5YR 2/1) mucky silt loam; a few pockets of dark reddish-brown, finely divided organic matter; weak, fine, granular structure; nonplastic, nonsticky; roots plentiful ; strongly acid; gradual, wavy boundary. 6 to 20 inches thick. A0-8 to 42 inches, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) mucky silt loam; lenses of dark grayish-brown (10YR 4/2) silt loam; massive; nonsticky, nonplastic; few thin lenses of fine sand and thin layers of sedge and woody peat; roots plentiful to few ; strongly acid. 12 to 48 inches thick. In places there are many stones within 20 inches of the surface. The depth to grayish gravelly material under- lying the AC horizon, ranges from 30 to 60 inches. The upper layers of these soils are strongly acid, but acidity 263-309-67--3 decreases with depth. The water table is near the surface most of the time. Slikok mucky silt loam (0 to 3 percent slopes) (Sm).- This is the more extensive soil of the Slikok series. It com- monly occurs along drainageways, and there are many springs and seepage places and a few small streams within the mapped areas. Several small, gently sloping areas con- stitute about 3 percent of the total acreage. Stony patches -and small areas of \V asilla silt loam are also included. Artificial drainage ordinarily is needed before crops can be grown. (Managem.ent group 18) Slikok stony mucky silt loam (0 'to 3 percent slopes) (Sn).-This soil is in snrall drainageways and along second- ary streams. It is inextensive but widely scattered throughout the Area. Because of the many stones and boulders within 20 inches of the surface, artificial drain- age is not feasible, but some areas of native grasses prob- ably can be grazed to a limited extent. (Management group 32) Spenard Series The Spenard series consists of somewhat poorly drained and poorly drained soils that formed in a thin mantle of silt underlain by firm., moderately fine textured glacial tilL They are of minor extent and occur only in the north- western part of the Area. These soils are in nearly level areas bordering muskegs and on fairly long, smooth, gentle to moderate slopes of glacial mo:rraines. They are not so poorly drained as the Torpedo Lake soils and the Coal Creek soils. The Spenard soils commonly support a dense forest of black spruce and a thick ground cover of moss, but in some places the forest consists of paper birch, white spruce, and dense clumps of alder brush. Representative profile of Spenard silt loam in the SvV1,4SE1,4 sec. 16, T. 18 N., R. 3 vV., Seward Meridian: 01-5 inches to 0, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) mat of moss and decomposing organic material; extremely acid; clear, smooth boundary. 3 to 10 inches thick. A1-0 to 3 inches, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) silt loam; pockets of black (5YR 2/1) silt loam; weak, medi- um, subangular blocky structure; friable when moist, nonsticky when wet; many roots; extremely acid; abrupt, wavy boundary. 2 to 6 inches thick. A0-3 to 5 inches, very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silt loam; splotches of clark reddish brown (5YR 3/3) ; mas- sive ; firm when moist, nonsticky and slightly plas- tic when wet; roots plentiful; extremely acid; abrupt, wavy boundary. 1 to 4 inches thick. IIClg-5 to 14 inches, dark-gray (10YR 4/1) sandy clay loam; common, coarse, distinct mottles of dark yellowish brown; common, medium, prominent mot- tles of reddish brown; massive; firm when moist, slightly sticky and slightly plastic when wet; few roots; very .strongly acid; abrupt, wavy boundary. 6 to 12 inches thick. IIC2g-14 to 31 inches, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) gravelly silty clay loam; common, medium, distinct mottles of dark reddish brown ; massive; slightly sticky and slightly plastic when wet; very few fine roots; many pebbles and few cobblestones and stones; very strongly acid. Many feet thick. The silty mantle ranges from 2 to 10 inches in thick- ness. The glacial till ranges from sandy· clay loam to silty clay loam in texture and becomes firmer and more 32 SOIL SURVEY compact with depth. Pebbles, cobblestones, and stones are common in the till. These soils are very strongly acid to extremely acid. Spenard silt loam, nearly level (0 to 3 I>ercent slopes) (SpA).-This is the more extensive soil of the Spenard series. It commonly borders muskegs. Patches of Torpedo Lake soils and Jacobsen soils were included in mapping. Most of this soil is covered by a dense forest of black spruce and a thick ground cover of moss. If cleared and artificially drained, it is suitable for grasses and small grains. In places stones interfere with tillage. (Manage- ment group 17) Spenard silt loam, gently sloping (3 to 7 percent slopes) (SpB).-This soil is inextensive and occupies the smooth slopes of low glacial moraines. In the western part of the Area, it includes some slopes of slightly more than 7 percent. A few small areas of well-dramed Kenai silt loam and of Torpedo Lake silt loam in drainageways were included in mapping. Dense forests of black spruce and stands of paper birch and alder are equally common. This soil is suited to grain and grass if cleared and artificially drained. In places the surface is stony, and it may be necessary to remove stones before farm machinery can be used. (Man- agement group 17) Susitna Series The Susitna series consists of well-drained soils that formed in layers of water-laid silt and very fine sand over coarse sand and gravel. These soils are on low, nearly level and undulating plains along major rivers and streams, and they are the most extensive soils in these areas. They are grayer than the Schrock soils and are deeper to coarse gravelly mate- rial than the, Niklason soils. The forest cover generally consists of large cottonwood (balsam poplar) trees and a understory of alder and willow; in places paper birch and white spruce are domi- nant. A considerable acreage is used for farming. Representative profile of Susitna silt loam in the NE%,NW%, sec. 34, T. 17 N., R. 2 E., Seward Meridian: 01-2 inches to 0, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) mat of decomposing organic material; clear, smooth bound- ary. A1-0 to 2 inches, dark grayish-brown (2.5Y 3/2) silt loam; streaks of dark reddish brown and dark brown; weak, medium, granular structure; very friable; many fine roots ; clear, smooth boundary. C1-2 to 15 inches, olive-gray (5Y 4/2) silt loam with patches of olive; weak, fine, subangular blocky structure ; friable; many very fine pores; few roots; few lenses of fine sand; few dark reddish-brown pock- ets of organic matter; clear, smooth boundary. C2-15 to 35 inches, olive"gray (5Y 4/2) fine sand; layers of silt loam as much as 1 inch thick; weak, thin, platy structure; very friable; clear, smooth bound- ary. C3-35 to 46 inches +, dark-gray and light-gray coarse sand and gravel ; structureless ; loose. 'Many feet thick. These soils are strongly acid. The texture of the sur- face layer ranges from silt loam to very fine sand. The depth to coarse gravelly material ranges from 27 to 40 inches. Some areas are flooded annually. Susitna silt loa,_m (0 to 3 percent slopes) (Su).-This is the most extensive s01l in the Susitna series. It is silty near the surface, but the lower layers are dominantly fine sand. The depth to coarse gravel is more than 27 inches. Many small patches of Niklason soils, a few sandy spots, and 3: few poorly drained depressions were included in mappmg. Scars of former stream channels, a foot or two lower in elevation, are fairly common, but the soil in them is generally the same as the surrounding soil. In places, the abrupt banks of these old channels interfere with farming. This soil is suited to all crops adapted to the Area. In large cultivated fields near Palmer, it is susceptible to blowing, but this can be controlled by windbreaks and stripcropping. (Management group 1) Susitna very fine sand {0 to 3 percent slopes) (Sv).- This soil is on low plains along the Matanuska River. The upper layers are dominantly very fine sand but con- tain layers of silty material. The depth to coarse gravelly material is more than 27 inches. Small areas of undulat- ing Susitna soils, patches of Niklason soils, and a few poorly drained depressions were included in mapping. In places there are relllilants of meandering stream channels. The soil in these abandoned channels is like the sur- rounding soil, but sharp banks in a few places interfere with farming operations. This soil is suited to all crops adapted to the Area. In large fields near Palmer, windbreaks and stripcropping are needed to control blowing. (Management group 1) Susitna and Niklason very fine sands, overflow, 0 to 3 percent slopes (SwA).-These soils occur in numerous sma!l tracts on flood plains along most of the major riv- ers m the Area. Small stream channels, patches of Grav- elly alluvial land, and small areas of ,other Susitna and Niklason soils were included in mapping. The surface layer in some places is silt loam. The depth to gravel ranges from 15 to 36 inches within short distances. These soils are flooded for short periods at least once or twice a year, usually in spring or late in summer. If cleared, they are suited to hay or pasture. Other crops are likely to be damaged by flooding. (Management group 19) Talkeetna Series The Talkeetna series consists of well-drained silty soils that are shallow to gravelly and stony material. These soils are on mountain slopes at elevations of more than 1,000 feet. The Talkeetna soils are redder than the Homestead soils and the Nancy soils, which occur at lower eleva- tions. The native vegetation consists mostly of tall grass, alder, willow, fireweed, and ferns. Talkeetna soils are inextensive in the Area. Representative profile of Talkeetna silt loam beside Willow Creek Road, 0.6 mile east of junction with Fern Mine Road: 01-3 inches to 0, yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/4) mat of de- composing organic matter; many fine grass roots; clear, wavy boundary. A1-0 to 3 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) silt loam; few, fine, distinct, brown mottles; weak, very fine, granular structure; very friable; many roots; clear, · wavy boundary. A2-3 to 5 inches, brown (7.5YR 5/2) silt loam; weak, very thin, platy structure; very friable; roots common; abrupt, wavy boundary. MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 33 to 7 inches, dark reddish-brown (2.5YR 2/4) silt loam; releases water and becomes smeary when rubbed; moderate, fine, granular structure; very friable; roots common; clear, wavy boundary. B22--7 to 11 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/3) silt loam streaked with 5YR 2/2 ; smeary when rubbed; weak, fine, subangular blocky structure; very fri- able; many, very fine, tubular pores and vesicles; roots common; clear, wavy boundary. B23-ll to 14 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/4) silt loam; smeary when rubbed ; weak, fine, platy struc- ture; very friable; few roots; very fine tubular pores and vesicles; abrupt, broken boundary. IIB3-14 to 21 inches, dark yellowish-brown (10YR 4/4) gravelly sandy loam; massive; moderately firm; few roots ; very fine tubular pores and vesicles ; gradual boundary. IIG-21 to 30 inches +, olive ( 5Y 4/3) stony sandy loam; massive; friable; no roots ; reddish stains on under- side of stones. The silty material ranges from a few inches to 20 in thickness. Stones and boulders are common on the surface. In places the profile has been dis- by heaving and by downslope movement of soil. alll~ee1Gna silt loam, moderately steep to steep (20 to percent slopes) (TaE).-This very inextensive soil occurs the treeline in th_e Talkeetna Mountains, in the part of the Area. Rock outcrops, a few wet and small mountain streams were included in soil is too steep to be cultivated, and the growing is too short for crops. The native grasses can be for limited grazing. (Management group 28) Terrace escarpments (T e) is a land type at the edge of terraces. It includes many active landslides and outcrops that are bare of vegetation. Very shallow soils in some stabilized areas support some vege- mainly alder, willow, and birch. Patches of grass, and devilsclub are common. escarpments is not suitable for crops or for (Management group 35) Tidal flats (Tf) consists of layered tidal deposits on flats bordering Knik Arm. These deposits range sandy to clayey in texture. Tidal flats is inundated regularly by high tides. Large are bare of vegetation, but in places there are sparse stands of beach ryegrass and a few clumps of The vegetative cover is not so dense as that on marsh, which is slightly higher and is only occa- flooded by high tides. Tidal flats has no poten- as cropland or as pasture. (Management group {;i._Tidal Marsh Tidal marsh (Tm) consists of poorly drained clayey ·. -.... • · · It is extensive on low-lying plains bordering • Knik Arm, and a fairly large tract occurs a few miles · east of the mouth of the Knik River. In Tidal marsh is inundated several times each by very high tides. On rare occasions it is flooded for short periods by overflow from fresh-water streams. On the seaward side, Tidal marsh adjoins Tidal flats, which is slightly lower, is inundated regularly, and is almost bare of vegetation. On the inland side, Tidal marsh adjoins Clunie peat. Tidal marsh commonly supports moderately dense stands of grasses, sedges, and other plants common in coastal meadows. It is not suited to crops, but the native -vegetation can be grazed, and in places it can be har- vested for hay. (Management group 24) Torpedo Lake Series The Torpedo Lake series consists of poorly drained, nearly level to moderately steep soils in depressions and drainage ways. On foot slopes of the Talkeetna Mountains, the Tor- pedo Lake soils occur in an intricate, irregular pattern with the Homestead soils and are mapped with them in complexes. The total acreage of the compJexes is small. The Torpedo Lake soils are dominant in the complexes and occupy the drainagew'ays, swales, and low-lying places that separate the small tracts of well-drained Homestead soils. Small patches of the Schrock and Slikok soils also occur in these areas, as well as a few spots of Gravelly alluvial land. The Torpedo Lake soils have a thicker surface layer than the Coal Creek and Spenard soils, and a firmer, finer textured subsoil than the Slikok soils. Dense stands of black spruce, and a thick ground cover of moss are interspersed with patches of grass, thickets of alder, and scattered birch trees on the poorly drained Torpedo Lake soils. Willow, devilsclub, and wild celery are also common. Forests of paper birch and white spruce are dominant on the well-drained Homestead soils. Representative profile of Torpedo Lake silt loam in the NE~NW~ sec. 20, T. 18 N., R. 3 W., Seward Meridian: 01-5 inches to 0, black (5YR 2/1) mat of decomposing twigs, leaves, grass, and moss; many mycelia; strongly acid ; abrupt, smooth boundary. 3 to 10 inches thick. A.ll-0 to 8 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 2/2) mucky silt loam; weak, very fine, granular structure; non- sticky and non plastic when wet; roots plentiful; few stones ; strongly acid; clear, smooth boundary. 5 to 14 inches thick. A.12-8 to 12 inches, dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/2) and dark grayish-brown (10YR 3/2) silt loam; weak, fine, subangular blocky structure; slightly sticky and slightly plastic when wet; roots plentiful; few sub- rounded stones; strongly acid ; abrupt, smooth l:iound- ary. 4 to 12 inches thick. IICg--12 to 26 inches, dark greenish-gray (5GY 4/1) sandy clay loam; many, coarse, prominent mottles of yel- lowish brown; massive; very firm when moist, sticky and plastic when wet; very few decaying roots ; contains pebbles and stones below 16 inches; strongly acid. Many feet thick. The Torpedo Lake soils are strongly acid throughout. The moderately fine textured lower layers commonly become firmer and finer with depth. In places stones are near the surface, and pebbles and cobblestones are com- mon below a depth of 15 inches. The water table is near the surface most of the time. Torpedo Lake silt loam, nearly level ( 0 to 3 percent slopes) (ToA).-This soil is fairly ex'tensive and occurs in depressions and broad, poorly defined drainageways. 34 SOIL SURVEY Honiestead, Spenard, and Naptowne soils commonly occur on adjoining slopes, and small areas of them were included in mapping. Patches of Jacobsen soils were also included. This soil is too wet and cold to be suitable for crops, but patches of native grass can be used for light grazing. Artificial drainage is not feasible. (Management group 25) Torpedo Lake silt loam, gently sloping ( 3 to 7 percent slopes) (ToB).-This is the most extensive soil of the Tor- pedo Lake series. It is in poorly defined drainageways and seepage areas on broad glacial moraines and moun- tain foot slopes. Small tracts of Jacobsen, Spenard, and Naptowne soils were included in mapping, and there are very small streams and springs. Patches of native grasses are suitable for limited graz- ing, and some areas could be seeded to tame grasses for improved pasture. This soil is not suitable for cultivated crops, and drainage for agricultural purposes is not feas- ible. (Management group 25) Torpedo Lake silt loam, moderately sloping (7 to 12 percent slopes)-(ToC].-This soil is in drainageways that dissect glaCial moraines and mountain foot slopes. Home- stead or Naptowne soils are in most of the well-drained sites between the drainageways. Patches of Jacobsen and Spenard soils are common inclusions. This soil is generally stonier than the less strongly slop- ing Torpedo Lake soils. It is not suitable for cultivated crops, but in places it can be improved for permanent pasture. Patches of native grasses are suitable for limited grazing. (Management group 25) Torpedo Lake silt loam, strongly sloping (12 to 20 percent slopes) (ToD].-This inextensive soil is in narrow, strongly sloping drainage ways. Homestead or N aptowne soils occur on the well-drained slopes between the drain- ageways. A few small areas of Spenard soils are mapping inclusions. This soil is stonier than the less strongly sloping Tor- pedo Lake soils. The native grasses are suitable for lim- ited gTazing. (Management group 25) Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams, undulating (3 to 7 percent slopes) (TpB).-Areas of this mapping unit ran~e from 10 to 100 acres in size and are characterized by snallow drainageways, swales, and seepage spots sepa- rated by an irregular pattern of well-drained low ridges and knolls. Torpedo Lake soils are in the low, poorly drained part and make up about 50 percent of the total area. Homestead soils occupy most of the well-drained tracts, which generally are between 1 and 5 acres in size, and n1.ake up about 25 percent of the area. The rest con- sists of soils that formed in sediments along very small streams. Most of this complex is in native vegetation. A few well drained and moderately well drained tracts have been cleared and seeded to perennial grasses for pasture. They are generally too small and too irregular to be used for extensive farming. Patches of native grasses are suit- ruble for limited grazing. (Management group 26) Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt Ioams, rolling (7 to 12 percent slopes) (T pC) .-The pattern and the proportions of the major soils in this mapping unit are about the same as in the undulating unit. Minor areas of poorly drained stony soils, o£:her than Torpedo Lake, border very small streams. Most of this complex is in native vegetation. The grasses are suitable for light grazing. ·well-drained sites can be cleared and seeded for permanent pasture. They are generally too small and too irregular to be used for extensive farming. (Management group 26) Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams, hilly (12 to 20 percent slopes) (TpD).-An irregular pattern of hilly ridges and knolls separated by many drainageways and swales characterizes this mapping unit. Homestead soils are on the hilly, well-drained sites, and Torpedo Lake soils are on the poorly drained sites. Generally, these two soils make up more than 80 percent of the total acreage and are about equal in proportion. A few small gently slop- ing sites were included in mapping. Also included were patches of wet stony soils, other than Torpedo Lake, along minor streams. It is not practical to improve these soils for cultivated crops, but irregular patches of Homestead soils on the well-drained slopes can be seeded for permanent pasture. The native grasses that generally grow on the low-lying areas can be used for light grazing. (Management group 26) Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams, moderately steep (20 to 35 percent slopes) (TpE).-This unit has about the same composition as the hilly complex, except that the proportion of ;Homestead silt loam is somewhat higher. In addition to the major soils, there are peat soils in deep depressions and wet stony soils other than Torpedo Lake. The Homestead soils are suitable for improved pasture. They are too steep and too irregular for cultivation. Patches of native grasses suitable for limited grazing are common on the Torpedo Lake soils. (Management group 26) Wasilla Series The Wasilla series consists of somewhat poorly drained to poorly drained soils on low, nearly level plains along streams. These soils are dominantly silty but contain stratified layers of sandy material and moderately firm, moderately fine textured material underlain by coarse sand and gravel. The Wasilla soils have a less sandy subsoil than the Moose River soils, and they have a coarser textured sub- stratum than the Coal Creek soils. They are not so mucky or so high in content of organic matter as the Slikok soils. · The native vegetation consists mostly of paper birch, black spruce, clumps of alder and willow, and patches of grass. Representative profile of Wasilla silt loam in the NE%, NE%, sec. 34, T. 18 N., R. 1 E., Seward Meridian: 01-4 to 3 inches, mat of decomposing organic material; abrupt, smooth boundary. 02-3 inches to 0, black ( 5YR 2/1), finely divided organic matter containing a few undecomposed twigs and leaves; many roots; clear, smooth boundary. A1-0 to 8 inches, very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silt loam; common, coarse, faint mottles of dark yellowish brown; massive; friable when moist, nonsticky and non plastic when wet; many roots; clear, wavy bound· ary. 6 to 18 inches thick. IIC1g-8 to 22 inches, dark-gray (5Y 4/1) sandy clay loam; many, medium, distinct mottles of yellowish red that grade to brown (7.5YR 5/4) at the boundaries; MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 35 moderate, medium, platy structure that breaks read- ily to moderate, very fine, sub angular blocky ; firm ; contains a few stratified lenses of silty and very fine sandy loam as much as % inch thick; buried woody plant parts; few roots; strongly acid; grad- ual, smooth boundary. 6 to 18 inches thick. IIIC2g-22 to 48 inches +, dark-gray (5YR 4/1), stratified fine to coarse sand ; single grain ; loose ; pockets of very dark gray (5YR 3/1) silt loam comprise as much as 30 percent of the mass; massive; friable; many woody fragments ; few pebbles and rounded cobblestones; very few roots ; strongly acid. One foot to many feet thick ; commonly undarlain by coarse sand and gravel. Below the silt loam surface layer the substratum is commonly well stratified and consists o£ moderately firm silty clay loam to sandy clay loam interlayered with strata o£ silt, very fine sand, and fine sand that vary in number and thicknesE;. The depth to coarse sand, gravel, and stony material is generally more than 30 inches. In places a £ew large stones or boulders occur near the sur- face. These soils are very strongly acid to strongly acid. Wasilla silt loam (0 to 3 percent slopes) (Wa).-This soil occurs on many creek bottoms and on the flood plains o£ the major rivers. Along the smaller streams it is com- monly associated with the Slikok soils, which are more poorly drained. Small tracts o£ Slikok silt loam were included. On the flood plains o£ the Knik and Matanuska · Rivers it borders the well-drained Susitna and Niklason soils. I£ artificially drained, this soil is suited to small grains and perennial grasses. (Management group 12) ·Management of Soils for Crops and Pasture The first part o£ this section contains a discussion o£ land clearing, fertilization, irrigation, suitable crops, and estimated :r,ields. The second part contains a description o£ the capability classification system by which the soils are grouped according to the management they need. Following this, each management group is described and suggestions are given £or the use and conservation o£ the soils. Land Clearing · Much o£ the potential farmland in the Area is forested. _ In many places there are stands o£ merchantable trees. ·._Harvesting these trees £or lumber or other purposes be£ore the land is cleared not only prevents waste but generally makes land clearing easier. Except £or poorly drained areas, land usually can be cleared at any time o£ year. vVhen the ground is not frozen; brush and trees that remain after logging are . most efficiently removed by a bulldozer equipped with a scarifier blade similar to that shown in figure 10. When the ground is £rozen, brush and trees are sheared . off at ground level with a bulldozer equipped with a _shearing type blade. This method is suitable £or clearing ' off light brush and small trees. vVhere trees larger than .·-6 inches in diameter are sheared off at ground level, how- ~ver, the subsequent removal o£ stumps and heavy roots .1s o£ten very difficult and time consuming. After the soil ·has thawed, the stumps and roots remaining .in the soil Figure 10.-Bulldozer with scarifier blade used for land clearing. can be removed by several methods. Removing and wind- rowing them with a scarifier blade is usually the most efficient method. Small roots and stumps can be removed by working the land with a large breaking plow or heavy elise, but this generally involves the difficult task o£ re- moving many roots and other debris by hand be£ore the soil can be successfully tilled. I£ le£t in the soil, these materials decompose very slowly, and the larger pieces interfere with cultivation £or a long time. Much o£ the success o£ any land-clearing project in the Area depends upon £reeing the roots and stumps o£ as much soil as possible be£ore pushing them into wind- rows £or burning. This is especially important on shallow soils where gravel and stones will hinder tillage i£ much surface soil is removed during land clearing. Poorly drained soils like the Slikok and Wasilla, gen- erally cannot be cleared with heavy equipment unless they are £rozen or are artificially drained. These soils commonly have a thick surface mat o£ moss or sedges that should be removed during clearing, as it tends to prevent the soil £rom drying. In the undisturbed soils o£ the uplands, the organic matter is commonly concentrat~cl in a surface mat 2 to 4 inches thick. In clearing the land o£ trees or brush, it is important that some o£ this material be allowed to re- main on the ground. This organic matter, mixed with the lmclerlying mineral soil, is effective in maintaining good tilth and in promoting the infiltration o£ water. In cultivated fields o£ Bodenburg, Doone, and other soils where blowing is a hazard, natural windbreaks o£ adequate width and spacing should be le£t to control soil blowing and drifting . Also· important are the precautionary measures neces- sary to prevent the spreading o£ fires to nearby £orests. For sa£e burning it is essential that all windrows or piles o£ debris are well within cleared areas and are not too close to woodland or brush. Fertilization The successful production o£ crops in the Area depends considerably upon fertilization. Newly cleared soils need 36 SOIL SURVEY fairly heavy applications of a complete fertilizer-one that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The need for nitrogen is especially high on newly cleared soils, because so much nitrogen is used by bacteria in decomposing the native organic material. Under contin- ued cultivatiOn there is a tendency for the natural struc- ture of the soil to break down; hence, periodic additions of manure or other organic material helps to maintain tilth. In the paragraphs that follow, the suggested minimum application rates are based on experience and research of the Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station (7). Heav- ier applications usually will result in better yields if other management requirements are met. These rates are general suggestions and are subject to change. They are intended mainly to indicate the needs for fertilizer in the Area. For the most efficient use of fertilizer, it is best to determine rates from the results of periodic soil tests, because requirements depend on the soil, the crops, previ- ous management, and other factors. Lime requirements are not given here, but field trials by the Alaska Agri- cultural Experiment Station have shown that liming is beneficial for certain crops on many soils in this Area. Cereals for forage or grain.-For grain only, drill in at planting time or broadcast and work into the seedbed before planting, 20 pounds of nitrogen (N) per acre, 40 pounds of phosphate (P20 5 ), and 20 pounds of potash (K20). For grain planted with peas or vetch or with for- age seedings, apply in the same manner 30 pounds of mtrogen per acre, 60 pounds of phosphate, and 30 pounds of potash. Grass or grass-legume mixtures seeded without a nurse orop.-For grass only, broadcast and work into the seed- bed before planting, 60 pounds each of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P20 5 ), and potash (K20). For. a grass- · legume mixture, apply in the same manner 32 pounds of nitrogen; 128 pounds of phosphate, and 80 pounds of potash. Established grass and grass-legume mixtures.-For grass only, apply as a topdressing early in spring the first year, 60 pounds each of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P20 5 ), and potash (K20). The second year and after, apply early in spring 120 pounds of mtrogen and 60 pounds each of phosphate and potash. More nitrogen is Figure 11.-Sprinkler irrigation of bromegrass on Bodenburg very fine sandy loam, nearly level. needed after the first harvest. For a grass-legume mix- ture, apply early in spring 45 pounds of mtrogen, 90 pounds of phosphate, and 45 pounds of potash. These spring applications should be broadcast as early as pos- sible. If the ground is bare of snow, spread the fertilizer before frost leaves the soil. Late yields of _grass generally can be increased by applying 40 pounds or nitrogen early in July, or as soon as possible after the first harvest. Potatoes.-For potatoes, not irrigated, apply 60 pounds of nitrogen (N) per acre, 240 pounds of phos- phate (P205 ), and 120 pounds of potash (K20). For potatoes, irrigated, apply 80 pounds of nitrogen, 320 pounds of phosphate, and 160 pounds of potash. Apply the fertilizer 1 inch below and on both sides of seed at planting time, or drill it in 4 inches deep before planting. On new land apply an additional 300 pounds of fertilizer per acre. Irrigation Sprinkler irrigation is a recent practice in the Area and is used on a few farms to supplement rainfall. Studies by the Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station have shown that sprinkler irrigation generally increases aver- age yields, especially when additional quantities of ferti- lizer are applied. Beneficial returns have been obtained from irrigating forage crops such as the grass shown in figure 11, but the greatest returns have been obtained from irrigating the more intensively grown crops, such as pota- toes, carrots, and other truck crops. In addition to increased yields, benefits from irrigation include earlier and more uniform germination of seeds. This is especially important in truck farming, as crops often must be harvested to meet marketing contract dates. Earlier germination is also beneficial to dairymen, as it helps assure first-year stands of grass and lengthens the grazing and haying seasons. Suitable Crops Only crops that will grow in cool climates with long summer days are adapted to the Area. Perennials need to have a high degree of winter hardiness. In 1963 more than 75 Eercent of the harvested crops were used for forage. Smooth bromegrass is the principal grass crops, but a variety of timothy well adapted to Alas- kan conditions has been developed by the Alaska Agri- cultural Experiment Station and is also grown exten- sively. First cuttings of these grasses are generally har- vested for hay; second cuttings are commonly used for silage or pasture, as weather conditions late in summer are usually unfavorable for field curing. Kentucky bluegrass is common in lawn seedings. Meadow foxtail and red fescue can also be grown successfully, but at present only minor acreages are seeded to these. Combinations of oats and peas or vetch, as shown in figure 12, are grown exten- sively for silage or hay. Climatically adapted varieties of red clover, alsike clo- ver, white clover, and sweet clover can he grown with fair success, but only small acreages are seeded, generally in combination with grasses. Hardy varieties of alfalfa have been grown, hut thus far, none have been sufficiently productive to justify extensive use. MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 37 Figure 12.-Harvesting a crop of green oats and peas for silage on Bodenburg silt loam, nearly level. Yields of 7 tons per acre are obtained under good management. Spring bar~ey and oats are the main cereal crops. The harvested gram commonly needs artificial drying for safe storage. 1\-lthough nearly all _?f the grain harvested is used for hyestock, the oat varieties adapted to the Area are also smtable for milling, and the barley varieties are suitable for malting. Field corn is not suited to the Area, and rye and flax genera:lly will not mature. Small acreages of early- matt:~nng wheat are grown, but yields of total digestible nutrients per acre are generally lower than those produced by oats or barley (1). . In . genera~, root vegetables and leafy vegetables are espemally smtable for the Area. Potatoes are the leading cash crop, but ca;bbage, carrots, and head lettuce are also grown on a commercial scale. Garden vegetables include celery, cauliflower, beets, turnips, radishes, onions, garden peas, beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and others. Toma- ~oes, cucumbers, and sweet corn can be grown safely only m greenhouses. Recent experiments, however, indicate that sweet corn can be grown outdoors with the aid of a plastic mulch. Tame varieties of raspberries, strawberries, and cur- rants are grown on a small scale. Except for Siberian crabapple, fruit trees have not been grown successfully. Small fruits native to the Area include lingenberries, -. mooseberries (high:bush cranberries), raspberries, blueber- ries, cloudberries, currants, and rose hips. Estimated Yields Estimated average yields per acre of principal crops grown on soils of the Area are given in table 4. These esti- mates are averages expected over several years. The in- crease in yields that can be obtained by irrigation has not been considered in these estimates. The yields in columns A are expected under average management, and those in columns B are expected under improved management. The estimates were made on the basis of information from the Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station, the Alaska Agricultural Crop Reporting Service, agricultural field- workers, and farmers. Practices and conditions under average management include the following : ( 1) Minimum amounts of ferti- lizer are applied according to results of occasional soil tests, but fertility is commonly not adequate for optimum plant growth; (2) sod crops, barnyard manure, and crop residue are used to a limited extent, but· the quality and quantity are generally inadequate for the most efficient use of moisture and plant nutrients; ( 3) conservation practices to control soil blowing and water erosion are applied to a limited extent, but they are generally not ade- quate on all :fields; ( 4) weeds and harmful insects are controlled to some extent on cropland, but seldom on pas- tures; ( 5) cutting and grazing of forage is only partly regulated, and stands are weakened by overgrazing; (6) artificial drainage is adequate on soils that require it. TABLE 4.-Estimated average acre yields of principal crops under two levels of management [Dashed lines indicate the soil is not suited to, or is not used for, the crop] Oats Barley Bromegrass Silage hay Potatoes Soil (2 cuttings) Pasture pro- ---------1------1----.----l---.,-----l·-·-----' ductivity 2 Oats and peas Grass 1 A B A B A B A B A B A B --------------------------------------------1---1----1----,.-- . Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons ~c~orage san~, u~dulating to rolling _______ 30 40 25 35 1. 50 2. 50 3. 50 4. 50 3. 00 4. 50 ____________ _ An~h~~!~~ ~il~1~~~Yn!~ri~~~.;e1=========== -35--45--36--46--i:56-2. 5o -3:75--5:66--3:66--4:56--6:66---9:66- Anchorage very fine sandy loam, undulating__ 35 45 30 40 1. 50 2. 50 3. 75 5. 00 3. 00 4. 50 6. 00 9. 00 ~c~orage very ~e sandy loam, r<?lling_ _ _ _ _ 30 40 25 35 1. 25 2. 25 3. 50 4. 50 2. 50 4. 00 ____________ _ c orage very e sandy loam, hilly _______________________ 1. 00 1. 75 ____________ 2. 00 3. 00 _____ _ Anchorage very fine sandy loam, moderately ------- steep__________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Bodenburg s~lt loam, nearly leveL_ _________ 55 65 45 -55 -2.-56-3. 50 -5.-56--7.-56--5.-66--7.-66--9.-66--i3.-66- Bodenburg s~lt loam, undulating ___________ 55 65 45 55 2. 50 3. 50 5. 50 7. 50 5. 00 7. 00 9. 00 13. 00 Boden burg s~lt loam, rolling_______________ 50 65 4.0 55 2. 25 3. 50 5. 00 7. 00 4. 50 7. 00 8. 00 12. 00 Bodenburg srlt loam, hilly _________________ 35 50 30 45 2. 00 3. 00 4. 00 6. 00 4. 00 6. 00 ____________ _ See footnotes at end of table. Fair. Poor. Fair. Fair. Fair. Poor. Poor. Good. Good. Good. Good. 38 SOIL SURVEY TABLE 4.-Estimated average acre yields of principal crops under two levels of management-Continued Bromegrass Silage hay (2 cuttings) Oats and peas Grass I Potatoes Soil Oats Barley Pasture pro- -----.--l-----,--l---,------l---.---l---:-------~---I ductivity 2 A B A B A B A B A B A B ------------------1-----------------------------l----'---l----- Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Boden burg very fine sandy loam, nearly leveL 55 65 45 55 Bodenburg very fine sandy loam, undulating_ 55 65 45 55 Bodenburg very fine sandy loam, rolling_____ 50 65 40 55 Boden burg very fine sandy loam, hilly______ 35 50 30 45 Boden burg very fine sandy loam, moderately Tons 2. 50 2. 50 2. 25 2. 00 Tons 3. 50 3. 50 3. 50 3. 00 Tons 5. 50 5. 50 5. 00 4. 00 Tons 7. 50 7. 50 7. 00 6. 00 Tons 5. 00 5. 00 4. 50 4. 00 Tons 7. 00 7. 00 7. 00 6. 00 Tons 9.00 9.00 8. 00 Tons 13. 00 13. 00 12; 00 steep __________________________________________________ 1. 50 2. 00 ____________ 3. 00 4. 00 ____________ _ Bodenburg and Knik silt loams, steep: Boden burg __________________________________________________________________________________________ _ Knik _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _ Chena silt loam __________________________________________ 1. 00 1. 75 ____________ 2. 00 3. 00 ____________ _ Clunie peat ______________________________________________________________________________________________ _ Coal Creek silt loam ______________________________________ 2. 00 3. 00 5. 00 7. 00 4. 00 6. 00 ____________ _ Coal Creek stony silt loam ________________________________________________________________________________ _ Doone silt loam, nearly leveL ______________ 50 65 40 55 2. 50 3. 50 5. 50 7. 50 5. 00 7. 00 9. 00 13. 00 Doone silt loam, undulating_______________ 50 65 40 55 2. 50 3. 50 5. 50 7. 50 5. 00 7. 00 9. 00 13. 00 Doone silt loam, rolling ___________________ 45 65 35 55 2. 25 3. 50 4. 50 7. 00 4. 50 7. 00 8. 00 12. 00 Doone and Knik silt loams, hilly: Doone-------_______________________ 35 50 30 45 2. 00 3. 00 4. 00 6. 00 4. 00 6. 00 ____________ _ Knik_------------------------------35 45 30 40 1. 7 5 2. 50 4. 00 6. 00 3. 50 5. 00 ------------- Doone and Knik silt loams, moderately steep. Doone ______________________________________________ 1. 50 2. 00 ____________ 3. 00 4. 00 ____________ _ Knik--------------------------------------- ---- ----1. 50 2. 00 ------------3. 00 4. 00 ------------- Doone and Knik silt loams, steep: Doone ______________________________________________________________________________________________ _ Knik _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _ Flat Horn silt loam, nearly level_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 50 65 40 55 2. 25 3. 25 5. 00 7. 50 4. 50 6. 50 8. 00 11. 00 Flat Horn silt loam, undulating ____________ 50 65 40 55 2. 25 3. 25 5. 00 7. 50 4. 50 6. 50 8. 00 11. 00 Flat Horn silt loam, rolling _______ -~_______ 45 65 35 55 2. 00 3. 00 4. 50 7. 00 4. 00 6. 00 7. 00 11. 00 Flat Horn silt loam, hilly to steep __________________________________________________________________________ _ Gravel pits and Strip mines ________________________________________________________________________________ _ Gravelly alluvial land _____________________________________________________________________________________ _ Homestead silt loam, nearly leveL __________ 40 55 35 50 2. 00 3. 00 4. 50 6. 50 4. 00 6. 00 6. 50 10. 00 Homestead silt loam, undulating ___________ 40 55 35 50 2. 00 3. 00 4. 50 6. 50 4. 00 6. 00 6. 50 10. 00 Homestead silt loam, rolling _______________ 35 50 30 45 1. 75 2. 75 4. 00 6. 00 3. 50 5. 50 6. 00 10. 00 Homestead silt loam, hilly _________________ 30 45 25 40 1. 50 2. 50 3. 50 5. 50 3. 00 5. 00 ____________ _ Homestead silt loam, moderately steep ______________________ 1. 25 2. 00 ____________ 2. 50 4. 00 ____________ _ Homestead silt loam, steep ____________________________________________________________________ ~ ___________ _ Homestead silt loam, very shallow, nearly leveL---------~--~----~---------------35 45· 30 40 1. 50 2. 25 3. 75 5. 00 3. 00 4. 50 ____________ _ Homestead silt loam, very shallow, undulat-ing ___________________________________ 35 45 30 40 1. 50 Homestead silt loam, very shallow, rolling___ 30 40 25 35 1. 25 Homestead silt loam, very shallow, hilly _____ ---~ ____________ 1. 00 2. 25 2. 00 1. 75 3. 75 3. 00 5. 00 4. 50 3. 00 2. 50 2. 00 4. 50 4. 00 3. 50 Homestead silt loam, very shallow, moder- . a tely steep_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _______________________________________________ _ Homestead silt loam, very shallow, steep ____________________________________________________________________ _ Jacobsen very stony silt loam, nearly leveL __________________________________________________________________ _ Jacobsen very stony silt loam, gently sloping _______________________________________________ c _________________ _ Jim and Bodenburg silt loams, hilly: Jim _________________________________ 35 50 30 45 1. 75 2. 50 4. 00 6. 00 3. 50 5. 00 ____________ _ Bodenburg __________________________ 35 50 30 45 2. 00 3. 00 4. 00 6. 00 4. 00 6. 00 ____________ _ Jim and Boden burg silt loams, steep: Jim __________________________________________________________________________________________________ _ Bodenburg _______________________________________________________________________________ ------______ _ Kalifonsky silt loam, nearly leveL __________________________ 2. 50 3. 50 5. 50 7. 50 5. 00 7. 00 6. 00 9. 00 Kalifonsky silt loam, gently to moderately sloping ________________________________________________ 2. 50 3. 50 5. 50 7. 50 5. 00 7. 00 6. 00 9. 00 Kalifonsky silt loam, strongly sloping to . steep ______________________________________________________ " ___________________________________________ _ Kenai silt loam, undulating ________________ 35 45 30 40 1. 75 2. 50 4. 00 6. 00 3. 50 5. 00 ____________ _ Knik silt loam, nearly leveL _______________ 45 60 40 55 2. 25 3. 25 5. 00 7. 25 4. 50 6. 50 8. 00 12. 00 Knik silt loam, undulating _________________ 45 60 40 55 2. 25 3. 25 5. 00 7. 25 4. 50 6. 50 8. 00 12. 00 Knik silt loam, rolling ____________________ 40 55 35 50 2. 00 3. 00 4. 50 7. 00 4. 00 6. 00 7. 00 11.00 Knik silt loam, hilly,.. ____________________ 35 45 30 40 1. 75 2. 50 4. 00 6. 00 3. 50 5. 00 ------1------- See footnotes at end of table. Good. Good. Good. Good. Fair. Poor. Poor. Poor. Good. Poor. Good. Good. Good. Good. Fair. Fair. Fair. Poor. Poor. Good. Good. Good. Fair. Good. Good. Fair. Fair. Fair. Poor. Fair. Fair. Fair. Poor. Poor. Poor. Poor. Poor. Fair. Good. Poor. Poor. Good. Good. Poor. Fair. Good. Good. Good. Fair. MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA 39 TA:aLE 4.-Estimated average acre yields of principal crops under two levels of management-Continued Potatoes Oats Bromegrass Silage. Barley hay (2 cuttings) Pasture · Soil Oats and peas Grass 1 pro- -----;,-----!~--.------l----.------l----.------l----.------l---.----l ductivity 2 A B A B _A B A B A B A B -------------------1------------------------------1----1----- ~u-Bu. Bu. Bu. Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons Knik silt loam, moderately steep ___________________________ 1. 50 2. 00 ____________ 3. 00 4. 00 _____________ Fair. Knik silt loam, steep ______________________________ ----________________________________________ -------------Poor. Matanuska silt loam ______________________ 45 60 40 55 2. 25 3. 25 5. 00 7. 00 4. 50 6. 50 7. 00 10. 00 Good. Mixed alluvial land _________________________________________________________________________________ --------Fair . . Moose River' silt loam____________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1. 50 2. 50 4. 00 6. 00 3. 00 5. 00 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Fair. Nancy silt loam, nearly leveL ______________ 50 65 40 55 2. 25 3. 50 5. 00 7. 50 4. 50 7. 00 8. 00 11. 00 Good. Nancy silt loam, undulating _______________ 50 65 40 55 2. 25 3. 50 5. 00 7. 50 4. 50 7. 00 8. 00 11. 00 Good. Nancy silt loam, rolling ___________________ 45 65 35 55 2. 00 3. 25 4. 50 7. 00 4. 00 6. 50 7. 00 11. 00 -Good. Nancy silt loam, hilly _____________________ 30 50 25 45 1. 75 2. 75 3. 50 5. 75 3. 50 5. 50 _____________ Fair. Nancy silt loam, moderately steep __________________________ 1. 50 2. QO ____________ 3. 00 4. 00 ---------__ Fair. Naptowne silt loam, nearly leveL __________ 40 55 35 45 2. 25 3. 25 4. 50 6. 50 4. 50 6. 50 6. 50 10. 50 Good. N aptowne silt loam, undulating____________ 40 55 35 45 2. 25 3. 25 4. 50 6. 50 4. 50 6. 50 6. 50 10. 50 Good. Naptowne silt loam, rolling ________________ 35 50 30 45 2. 00 3. 00 4. 00 6. 50 4. 00 6. 00 6. 00 10. 00 Good. Naptownesiltloam,hilly _________________ 30 45 25 40 1.75 2.50 3.25 5.50 3.50 5.50-------------Fair. Naptowne silt loam, moderately steep _______________________ 1. 25 2. 00 ____________ 2. 50 4. 00 -------------Fair. Naptowne silt loam, steep ___________________________________________________________________________________ Poor. Niklason silt loam ________________________ 45 55 40 50 2. 00 3. 00 4. 50 6. 50 4. 00 6. 00 7. 00 10.00 Good. Niklason very fine sand___________________ 40 50 35 45 1. 75 3. 00 4. 00 6. 00 4. 00 6. 00 7. 00 10. 00 Good. Reedy silt loam __________________________ 40 55 35 50 2. 00 3. 00 4. 50 6. 50 4. 00 6. 00 7. 00 10. 00 Good. Rough mountainous land __________________________________________________________________________________ _ Salamatof peat ___________________________________________________________________________________________ _ Salamatof peat, ever frozen variant _________________________ ------------------------------------------------- Schrock silt loam, nearly leveL _____________ 55 65 45 55 2. 50 3. 50 5. 50 7. 50 5. 00 7. 00 9. 00 12. 50 Good. Schrock silt loam, undulating ______________ 55 65 45 55 2. 50 3. 50 5. 50 7. 50 5. 00 7. 00 9. 00 12. 50 Good. Sea cliffs ________________________________________________________________________________________________ _ Slikok mucky silt loam___________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2. 00 3. 00 5. 00 7. 00 3. 00 5. 00 ~ ___________ _ Slikok stony mucky silt loam ______________________________ ---------------------------------~--------------- Spenard silt loam, nearly leveL____________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2. 00 3. 00 5. 00 7. 00 4. 00 6. 00 ____________ _ Spenard silt loam, gently sloping ____________ . ___ -·--________ 2. 00 3. 00 5. 00 7. 00 4. 00 6. 00 ______ ------- Susitna silt loam _________________________ 55 65 45 55 2. 50 3. 50 5. 50 7. 50 5. 00 7. 00 9. 00 13.00 Susitnaveryfinesand ____________________ 55 65 45 55 2.50 3.50 5.50 7.50 5.00 7.00 9.00 13.00 Fair. Poor. Good. Good. Good. Good. Susitna and Niklason very fine sands, over- flow, 0 to 3 percent slopes ________________________________ 1. 75 2. 50 4. 50 6. 50 3. 50 5. 00 _____________ Fair. , Talkeetna silt loam, moderately steep to steep __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Poor. Terrace escarpments _____________________ ~ ________________ ------------------------------------------------- Tidal fiats __ ~----------------------------_________________________________________________________ c ______ _ Tidal marsh ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Fair. Torpedo Lake silt loam, nearly leveL ________________________________________________________________________ Fair. Torpedo Lake silt loam, gently sloping _______________________________________________________________________ Fair. Torpedo Lake silt loam, moderately sloping ______________________________________________________ -------------Fair. Torpedo Lake silt loam, strongly sloping ________________________________________________________ -------------Fair. Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams, un- dulating: Torpedo Lake ________________________________________________________________________________________ Fair. Homestead __________________________ 40 55 35 50 2. 00 3. 00 4. 50 6. 50 4. 00 6. 00 6. 50 10. 00 Good. Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams, rolling: Torpedo Lake _____________________________________________ --~---_____________________________________ Fair. Homestead __________________________ 35 50 30 45 1. 75 2. 75 4. 00 6. 00 3. 50 5. 50 6. 00 10. 00 Fair. Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams, hilly: Torpedo Lake _________________________________________________________________________________ -------Fair. Homestead __________________________ 30 45 25 40 1. 50 2. 50 3. 50 5. 50 3. 00 5. 00 -------------Fair. Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt loams, moder- ately steep: Torpedo Lake ___________________________________________________________________________ ------------- Homestead __________________________________________ 1. 25 2. 00 ____________ 2. 50 4. 00 ------------- Fair. Fair. Good. Wasilla silt loam _________________________________________ 2. 00 3. 00 5. 00 7. 00 4. 00 6. 00 ______ ------- 1 Yields of grass silage are for a second cutting only, as first cut- -tings are commonly harvested for hay. 2 Pasture productivity ratings are based on the number of acres of imprifd pasture required to produce sufficient forage for one 263-309-68--4 dairy cow, or an equivalent animal unit, for the entire pasture season under average management. The ratings are as follows: Good, 1 acre or less; fair, 1 to 2 acres; poor, more than 2 acres. 40 SOIL SURVEY F igure 13.-H a r vesting potato es, th e l eading cash c r op in th e Ar ea, on Doo n e silt loam. Yiel ds of 13 tons per acre are obtained under impr oved ma n agem en t. The following practices and conditions are included under improved m a nagement : (1) Fertili zer is applied at max imum rates determin ed from periodic so il tests, and adequate fertility i s maintained for optimum_ plant growth; (2) barnyard manure, crop residue, and grass crops are used i ntensively, and s ufficient organic matter is maintained for the most efficient use of moisture an d p l ant nutrients; ( 3) co n se rvation practices are applied to the fullest extent for control of so il bl owing and water erosion; ( 4) weeds a n d harmful insects are controlled on crop s as well a s pastures ; ( 5) cutting and grazing of for- age is carefully m anaged to maintain vigorous stands; (6) artificial drainage i s adequate on soil s that r equire it. Only a few farms in the A r ea have been devel oped to t he extent that improved management is practiced on the entire farm. There are a n u mber of farms, however, wh ere improved management i s practiced on a few fields or on crops such as potatoes (fig. 13). Capability Grou ps of Soils Capability classiftcation is the grou ping of soi ls to show, in a general way, their suitabil ity for most kinds of farm- ing. It is a practical classification based on limitations of t h e soil s, the ri sk of damage when they are u sed , and the way they respond to treatmen t . The soils a r e cl assified according to degree and kind of p ermanent limitation, but without co n sideration of m a jor and generally exp en- sive l andforming that would change the sl ope, depth, or other characteristics of the soils; and without considera- tion of possible but unl ikely major reclamation projects. In the capability system, all kinds of soils are grouped at three levels-the capability class, the subclass, and the tmit. These are d i scu sse d in the following paragraphs. CAPABILITY CLA SSES, t h e broadest groupi ng, are desig- nated by Roman numerals I through VIII. T he numerals MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 41 indicate progressively greater limitations and narrower choices for practical use, defined as follows: Class I. Soils that have few limitations that restrict their use. There are no class I soils in the Mata- nuska Valley Area. .Class II. Soils that have some limitations that reduce the choice of plants or require moderate conser- vation practices. Class III. Soils that have severe limitations that re- duce the choice of plants, or require special con- servation practices, or both. Class IV. 'Soils that have very severe limita~ions that restrict the choice of plants, or require very care- ful mal).agement, or both. Class V. Soils that are subject to little or no erosion but have other limitations, impractical to remove that limit their use largely to pasture, range' woodland, or wildlife food and cover. There ar~ no class V soils in the Matanuska Valley Area. Class VI. Soils that have severe limitations that make them generally unsuitable for cultivation and limit their use largely to pasture, range woodland, or wildlife food and cover. ' Class VII Soils that have very severe limitations ·that make them unsuitable for cultivation and that restrict their use largely to grazing wood- land, or wildlife. ' Class VIII. Soils and landforms that have limita- tions th~t preclude th~ir use ~or commercial plant productwn and restnct thmr use to recreation wildlife, or water supply, or to esthetic purposes: ./ CAPABILITY SUBCLASSES are soil groups within a class· they are designated by adding a small letter, e, w, s, or c: to t!1e class numeral, for example, lie. The letter e shows that the main limitation is risk of erosion unless close- growing plant cover is maintained; w shows that water in or on the soil interferes with plant growth or cultivation (il_l some ~oils the wetness can be partly corrected by arti- fiCial dramage) ; s shows that the soil is limited mainly because it is shallow, droughty, or stony; and c used in only some parts of the United States, shows that the chief limitation is climate that is too cold or too dry. CAPABILITY UNITS are soil groups within the subclasses. In this survey they are designated as management groups. The soils in one capability unit, or management group, are enough alike to be suited to the same crops and pas- ture plants, to require similar management, and to have similar productivity and other responses to management. Such a grouping is convenient for making many state- ments about management of soils. Capability units are generally identified by numbers assigned locally, for example, IIe-1 or IIIs-2. In the sub- section that follows, the capability unit numbers are in parenthesis following the management group numbers, Management groups In the following discussions of management groups, suggestions are given for the use, management, and con- servation of the soils. The names of the soil series repre- sented are given in the description of each group, but this does not mean that all the soils of a given series are in the same group. The group designation of each soil in the Area can be found in the "Guide to Mapping Units." No specific recommendations are made as to the amounts an~ k;inds of fertilizer . needed, the most suitaJble crop V!J:rietles, or the best seedmg rates, for these factors change With new developments in farming. Current information and recommendations are available from the local Exten- sion Service and from the Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station. . It is assumed that the fertilizer needs of soils on a spe- Cific farm are to be determined through soil tests. · MANAGEMENT GROUP 1 (IIc-1) This group consists of soils of the Bodenburo-, Flat Horn, Schrock, and Susitna series. These soils are 0 nearly level ai;td moderatel:y deep to ~ee:p. Drainage is good, and ~he mmsture-supplymg capacity IS moderate. The texture IS very fine sandy loam, very fine sand, or stratified silt and sand. These soils are suited to all the climatically adapted crops. They are ~ell suited. to ~arly yegetables, as they can be ~orked shghtly earher m sprmg than finer tex- tured smls. They all need fertilizer and the Flat Horn and Schrock soils need lime. Organi~ matter is needed in order to keep the soils in good tilth and promote efficient use of moisture and plant nutrients. The organic-matter content ?an be mai~taine~ by applying manure, utilizing crop :r;esidue, and mcl.udn_lg grasses and legumes in the croppmg sequence. Irrigatwn in dry years helps to sustain yields and minimize seeding losses. The Bodenburg and Susitna soils in the eastern part of the Area are susceptible to blowing. Large cultivated fields of these soils need a protective cover of stubble or grass throughout the winter, as they frequently lack a snow cover. Windbreaks and stripcropping also are effec- tive in controlling soil blowing. MANAGEMENT GROUP 2 (IIc-2) This group consists of soils of the Bodenburg, Doone, Nancy, and Naptowne series. These soils are nearly level and moderately deep to deep. Their texture is silt loam. Drainage is good, and the moisture-supplying capacity is favorable. These soils are suited to all the climatically adapted crops. They all need fertilizer, and the Nancy and Nap- towne soils need lime. Organic matter is needed to main- tain good tilth. It can be supplied by applying manure, utilizing crop residue, and including grasses and legumes in the cropping sequence. Irrigation in dry years helps to sustain yields and minimize seeding losses. The Bodenburg and Doone soils are susceptible to blow- ing. Windbreaks and stripcropping are effective in pro- tecting these soils. Fall plowing is not advisable, because there is often no snow cover in winter and the soils are exposed to blowing. Small depressions that are occasionally ponded for short periods are common in areas of Bodenburg and Doone soils. Ordinarily these depressions can be ditched or smoothed, so as to facilitate the operation of farm equip- ment and to limit soil losses. 42 SOIL SURVEY MANAGEMENT GROUP 3 (lle--1) This group consists of soils of. the Bodenbur_g, Flat Horn, and Schrock series. These soils are undulatmg and are moderately deep to deep. They have short, irregular slopes that average between 3 and 7 percent _in gr~dient. Their texture is very fine sandy lo~m or stratifi~d silt and sand. Drainage is good, and the mOisture-supplyillg capac- ity is moderate. . . These soils are suited to all the crops clnnatically adapted to the Area. They are well suited to early vege- tables, as they can be worked earlier. ~n spring than finer textured soils. They all need fertilizer, ai~d the Fl~t Horn and Schrock soils need lime. Orgamc matter IS needed to keep the soils in good til_th and to promote full use of moisture and plant nutrients. The content of organic matter can be _maintaine<;l by ~dding manure,_ making use of crop residue, and m~lud~ng _grasses and legumes in the cropping sequ~n~e .. Irr1gat~on n1 dry years helps to sustain yields and m.numiz~ seedillg losses. . . vV ater erosion is a hazard m cultivated fields. It ean be controlled by leaving natural water:va~s in sod and tilling on the contour. The Bodenburg soils ill the eastern part of the Area are susceptible to blmving. Large cultivated fields of these soils need a protective cover of stubble or grass throughout the winter, a;s they _frequently l~ck. a snow cover. vVindbreaks and stnperoppillg are effective m controlling soil blowing. MANAGEMENT GROUP 4 (lle-2) This group consists of ~oils of the J:?odenburg, Do~ne, Nancy, and Naptowne senes. These soils are undu~atmg and are moderately deep to deep. They have short, Irreg- ular slopes of 3 to 7 percent .. Their textu~e is silt ~oa:n:. Drainage is good, and the m01sture-supplymg capamty IS favorable. These soils are suited to all crops climatically adapted to the Area, and they produce good yields if fertilized. Lime is beneficial to most crops on the Nancy and ~a:p towne soils. Organic matt~r is neede~ to keep the s01l~ ill good tilth. It can be supphed by addmg manure, makmg use of crop residue, and including gr~ss~s a~d legumes in the cropping sequence. In dry years IrngatiOn helps to sustain yields and minimize seeding loss.es. . Water erosion is a moderate hazard m cultivated fields, but it can be controlled by tilling on the contour and leaving natural waterways in sod. The Bodenburg and Doone soils in the eastern part of the Area are suscep- tible to blowing if cultivated. They can be protected by windbreaks by stripcropping, and by sod or stubble left on them du~·ing winter. MANAGEMENT GROUP 5 (llle-1) This group consists of soils of the Bodenburg and Flat Horn series. These soils are moderately deep to deep and are rolling. Their texture is very fine sandy .loam or stratified silt and fine sand. They are well dramed and have a favorable moisture-supplying capacity. These soils are suited to all of the crops climatically adapted to the Area. They are well suited to early vege- tables, as they can be worked earlier in spring than finer textured soils. Fertilizer is needed for satisfactory yields, and organic matter is needed for good tilth and for the efficient use of moisture and plant nutrients. Sprinkler irrigation in dry years helps to sustain yields and mini-. mize seeding losses. . . . Water erosion is a severe hazard If these soils are culti- vated. It is advisable to grow row crops not J?.Ore than 1 year in 3 and to include grasses and legumes. m the crop- ping sequence. Leaving natural wa~enyays m gr~ss and tillino-on the contour also are effective m controllmg ero- sion. Soil blowing is a hazard, and windbreaks and strip- cropping are needed to control it. . MANAGEMENT GROUP 6 (llle--2) This group consists of silty soils of the Bodenburg, Doone, Nancy, and Naptowne series. These soils are roll- ing and are moderately deep to deep. ?'hey J;lave short, irregular slopes of 7 to 12 percent. Dramage I~ go~d. These soils are suited to all of the crops climatically adapted to the Area, and they produce good yields if fertilized. Lime is needed for most crops on the Nancy and Naptowne soils. All of these soils need organic mat- ter for good tilth and . for efficient use of mo.isture and plant nutrients. Orgamc matter can be supphed by ap- plying manure regularly, including grasses and l~gumes in the cropping sequence, and returmng crop residue to the soil. In dry years, sprinkler irrigatiOn helps to sus- tain yields and minimize seeding losses. . Cultivated fields are susceptible to severe water erosiOn. To control washing and rilling, it is advisable to plant row crops not more than 1 year in 3. Tilling on the con- tour and leaving natural waterways in sod are also effec- tive in controlling water erosion. The Boden burg. and Doone soils are susceptible to blowing. They need willter cover and field windbreaks for protection. Plowing them in fall is not advisable, as it leaves them exposed d1'iring the winter and early in spring when the winds are strong. MANAGEMENT GROUP 7 (llle-3) This group consists of silty, shallow, well-drained soils of the Homestead and Knik series. These soils are undu- lating or rolling. They are underlain by gravel, generally at a depth of 10 to 20 inches; in places the depth is as much as 27 inches. These soils can be used for all of the crops climatically adapted to the Area. Because of shallowness and suscep- tibility to water erosion, however, they should not be used for row crops more than 1 year in 3. They all ne~d fertilizer and organic matter, and the Homest~ad soils need lime. Applying manure regularly, returnmg crop residue, and including grasses and legumes in the crop- ping sequence are means of mai~1taining the su:pply of organic matter needed for good tilth and th~ efficient use of moisture and plant nutnents. These practices also h.elp to control erosion. Tilling on the contour and lea~g waterways in gra:ss are addit~onal mean~ of cm:_~.trollmg erosion. Gravel illterferes with deep tillage m some 1)laces. · A few areas of the Knik soils are in the path of strong winds and need winter cover and windbreaks for protec- tion against soil blowing. . . . These soils tend to be droughty. Crops on Kn1k soils have responded well to irrigation during dry years; those on Homestead soils probably would also. Most areas of these soils are forested. Many stands o:f paper birch and a few stands of white spruce are merchantable. MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 43 MANAGEMENT GROUP 8 (llls-1) . This group consists of shallow soils of the Homestead , and Knik series. These soils are nearly level and are underlain by coarse material. Their texture is silt loam, . and they are well drained. These soils can be used for all of the crops climatically adapted to the Area, but they are shallow over sand and gravel and therefore have a lower moisture-supplying capacity than most of the deeper silty soils. They should be used for row crops not more than 1 . year in 3. They ····need fertilizer, and the Homestead soil heeds lime for most crops. Because they are droughty, maintaining a supply of organic matter is especially important. Apply- ing manure regularly, including grasses and legumes m the cropping sequence, and returning crop residue are means.of supplyi~g organic ma~ter and thus maintaining good tilth for effiment use of mmsture and plant nutrients. Crops on the Knik soil have responded well to sprin- kler irrigation in dry years. Those on the Homestead soil probably would respond similarly. . Gra;rel in some very. small, shallow spots interferes w1th tillage. Water eroswn on these nearly level soiJs is not a significant hazard, but the Knik soil in the eastern part of the Area is susceptible to blowing if cultivated. Windbreaks, stripcropping, and winter cover are needed to protect it. MANAGEMENT GROUP 9 (IIIs-2) This· group consists of shallow, well-drained soils of the Niklason series. These soils are nearly level. They are made up of stratified silt and sand underlain by coarse sand and gravel at a depth of 15 to 27 inches. These soils can be used for all of the crops climatically adap~ed to the Area, but they are droughty, and yields aret hkely to be severely limited in dry years. Fertilizer and organic matter are needed. Applying manure regu- larly, returning crop residue to the soil, and including grasses and legumes in the cropping sequence are means of supplying the organic matter that is necessary for good tilth and the efficient use of moisture and plant nu- ~ri~nts: In dry years most crops respond to sprinkler 1rr1gat:~:on. In the eastern part of the Area, these soils are in the path of strong, gusty winds and are susceptible to blow- ing if cultivated. Windbreaks, stripcropping, and grass . crops help to control soil blowing. Fall plowing is not advisable in this part of the Area, as it leaves the soils exposed to the winter winds. Most of the areas are forested. Many stands of cotton- wood (balsam poplar) and a few stands of paper birch and white spruce are merchantable. MANAGEMENT GROUP 10 (IIIs-3) This group consists of nearly level, well-drained silty soils of the Matanuska and Reedy series. The Matanuska . soils are shallow over gravelly material; the Reedy soils are ·• underlain by slowly permeable material. All of the crops clima;tically adapted to the Area can . be grown on these soils, but the root growth of some crops is restricted by the moderately firm, slowly perme- able subsoil. Thus, yields are limited, especially during dry years. Yields of grass and small grains are usually good, however, if adequate levels of fertilizer and or- ganic matter are maintained. MANAGEMENT GROUP 11 (IIIw-1) This group consists of silty soils of the Kalifonsky series. These soils are nearly level to moderately sloping. They are moderately deep to deep over coarse gravelly material and are well drain.ed. These soils are suitable as cropland, but they dry out slowly in spring and tend to remain cool throughout the growing season. Artificial drainage is feasible and gen- erally is necessary for satisbctory yields and for the op- eration of farm machinery. Even if drained, these soils are suited to only short-season crops. Good yields of for- age can be obtained from perennial grasses if the soils are fertilized. Small grains ordinarily do not mature but can be harvested for hay or silage. The native forest consists mostly of slow-growing black spruce and has little commercial value. MANAGEMENT GROUP 12 (IIIw-2) Wasilla silt loam is the only soil in this group. This soil is deep, nearly level, and poorly drained. It is under- lain by slowly permeable material . Most of the acreage is in native forest, and there are some stands of merchantable paper birch. If cleared, this soil could be used for crops, but drainage is required. Even after drainage, only short-season crops can be grown. Good yields of forage can be obtained from peren- nial grasses if fertilizer is applied. Small grains rarely mature but can be harvested for hay or silage. MANAGEMENT GROUP 13 (IVe-1) This group consists of soils of the Bodenburg, Doone, Knik, Jim, Nancy, and Naptowne series. These soils are deep to moderately deep. Their texture is silt loam or very fine sandy loam, and they are well drained. They have short, hilly slopes of 12 to 20 percent. If cleared and used for crops, these soils are suscepti- ble to very severe water erosion. Leaving them in native vegetation is advisable. If they are needed as cropland, they should be kept in perennial grasses most of the time to control erosion. Good yields of forage can be obtained if fertilizer is applied and harvesting is regulated. Lime also is needed on the N arrey and N aptowne soils. Grain can be grown occasionally if erosion is controlled by tilling on the con- tour and keeping waterways in grass. Merchantable stands of paper birch and quaking aspen are fairly com- mon, and in a few places there are sparse stands of white spruce. MANAGEMENT GROUP 14 (IVe-2) This group consists of shallow, silty soils of the Home- stead and Knik series. These soils are well drained. They have hilly, irregular slopes of 12 to 20 percent. These soils are not suited to row crops. They are droughty and susceptible to very severe water erosion if cultiva,ted. Leaving them. in na,tive vegetation is desira- ble. If needed as cropland, they should be kept in peren- nial grasses most of the time. They proch1ee satisfactory yields of forage if fertilized. In ;addition, the Homestead soil needs lime. Top dressings of fertilizer and manure applied frequently, help to maintain vigorous stands of perennial grasses. Cutting and grazing should be care- fully regulated. Small grains can be grown occasionally if ei'osion is controlled by tilling on the contour. Yield of all crops are severely limited in dry years. 44 SOIL SURVEY Stands of merchantable paper birch and quaking as- pen are fairly common. MANAGEMENT GROUP 15 (IVs-1) This group consists of silty, shallow soils of the Home- stead and Kenai series. These soils are nearly level to rolling. The Homestead soils are underlain by loose gravelly material and have a low moisture-supplying ca- pacity. The Kenai soil is underlain by sandy clay loam material that contains many stones and rP.~t.rids root growth. Because of the gravelly and stony material within plow depth, these soils are not suited to row crops. They ~hould be left in native vegetation. If cleared, they are smted to perennial grasses that can be used for hay, silage, or pas- ture. Small grains can be grown, but the gravelly and stony spots interfere with tillage. In dry years yields are severely limited. In y~ars C?f normal rainfall, fairly good yields can be obtamed If enough fertilizer is ~ppl.ied an~ an. adequa~e. amount of organic matter is mamtamed. Lime IS benefiCial for m?st crops. Grazing and cutting should be regulated to mam- tain vigorous stands of perennial grasses. Most areas of these soils are forested, and there are some merchantable stands of paper birch and quaking aspen. MANAGEMENT GROUP 16 (IVs-2) This group consists of excessively drained silty and sandy soils of the Anchorage series. They are nearly level to rolling. . These soils are droughty and a;re sus?eptible to Jllo~ ing if cultivated. Leaving them m native -.;;egetatwn. IS desirable. If cleared, they should be kept m per~nnial grasses most of the time. In years of normal ramfall, they produce satisfactory yield.s of forage if they are fer- tilized and if grazing and cuttmg are carefull~ managed. Yields are limited in dry years. Small grams can be grown, but yields are generally low. MANAGEMENT GROUP 17 (IVw-1) In this group are sm~ewhat .poorly dr~i.ned soils of the Spenard series. These soils are mlow positiOns. They have a silty surface layer and a firm, moderately fine textured, perme~ble subsoil. Unless drained, these soils are too wet and cold for crops. Even if drained, they are suited to onl;v short-.sea- son crops as they remain cool and are susceptible to hght frosts du'ring the growing seas~~· They :erod~ce good yields of perennial grasses if fertih~ed. Ordmarily, small grains do not mature on these soils, but they can be grown for hay or silage. Stands of slow-growing black spruce are on most of the acreage. They have little commercial value. MANAGEMENT GROUP 18 (IVw-2) This group consists of poorly dra;ined so~ls of the Qoal Creek and Slikok series. These smls are m depresswns and drainageways. . . Unless drained these soils are too wet for cultivation. Even if drained,' they are susceptible to _light frost. 4ur- ing the growing season because of their low _POSitiOn. They can be used for forage crops or fast-maturmg vege- tables, but heavy applications of fertilizer are necessary. Patches of native grasses can be used for light grazing, but the carrying capacity is low. . MANAGEMENT GROUP 19 (IVw-3) This group consists of very fine sandy soils of the Su- sitna and Niklason series. These soils are underlain by coarse sand and gravel. · They are in nearly level areas along major rivers and are usually flooded one or more times a year, although occasionally they escape flooding for several years. Because of the flood hazard, these soils should be left in native vegetation. If cleared, they can be seeded to perennial grasses for hay or pasture. Other crops are likely to be destroyed by flooding. Fairly good yields of pasture can be expected if the soils are fertilized and otherwise well managed. Overgrazing should be avoided to insure longer lasting stands. Patches of native grasses are suitable for light graz- ing, but the carrying capacity is low. There are scat-. tered stands of merchantable cottonwood (balsam poplar). MANAGEMENT GROUP 20 (VIe-1) This group consists of soils of the Bodenburg, Doone, Knik, Flat Horn, Homestead, Nancy, and N aptdwne series. These soils are well drained. They are all silt loam in texture, except the Bodenburg soil, which is very fine sandy loam. The slope range is 20 to 30 percent. Because of the steepness of slope, these soils generally are not suitable for cultivation. They are difficult to till and are susceptible to water erosion. Leaving them for- ested is advisable. If cleared, they should be kept in pe- rennial grasses. Controlled grazing and applications of fertilizer and manure are needed to maintain lasting stands. Although the moisture-supplying capacity is moderate, yields of forage on south-facing slopes are limited in dry years. MANAGEMENT GROUP 21 (VIs-1) This group consists of silty, very shallow soils of the Homestead series. These soils are hilly to moderately steep. Their moisture-supplying capacity is low. These soils are too shallow for deep tillage. They should remain forested. If cleared, they-can be seeded to perennial grasses for hay or pasture, but fertilization and controlled cutting and grazing are needed to obtain satisfactory yields of forage. Frequent light applications of fertilizer are generally more effective than a few heavy ones. ~v.en if the soils a:r:e well managed, yields are frequently hmited by droughtmess. MANAGEMENT GROUP 22 (VIs-2) Chena silt loam is the only soil in this group. This soil is very shall?w over loose .g~avelly material and is ex- cessively dramed. Most of It IS neaYly level, but some of it is gentl:y s~oping to moderately sloring. . This sml lS too shallow for cultivatiOn. It IS better suited to forest or to perennial grasses for hay or pas- ture. Fertilizer is needed for satisfactory yields of for- age. Fertilizer should be applied more frequently than on deeper soils that have a more favorable moisture-sup- plying capacity. Even with careful control of cutting and grazing, limited yields can be expected in dry years. MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 45 Almost solid stands o:f white spruce are common on this soil, but cottonwood (balsam poplar) or paper birch is dominant in places. MANAGEMENT GROUP 23 (VIs-3) Anchorage very :fine sandy loam, hilly, is the only soil in this group. It has short, irregular slopes o:f 12 to 20 percent. This soil should be left in native vegetation. It is. droughty and blows readily i:f the surface is exposed. I:f cleared, it should be kept in perennial grasses and used :for hay, silage, or pasture. Fertilization and carefully controlled grazing and cutting are needed to maintain satisfactory stands. Low yields can be expected in dry years. . The :forest cover consists o:f paper birch, scattered white spruce trees, and a :few stands o:f quaking aspen. MANAGEMENT GROUP 24 (VIw-1) Tidal marsh is the only mapping unit in this group. This land type consists o:f poorly drained clayey sedi- ments on tidal plains. In places Tidal marsh is occasion- ally inundated by high tides. The native vegetation consists mostly o:f sedges . and grasses that are :fairly good :for hay or pasture. Y1elds are low but probably could be improved by :fertilization. Because o:f its low position and moderately :fine tex- ture, Tidal marsh is difficult to drain and is not suited to cultivated crops. During dry years it could be seeded to perennial grasses. MANAGEMENT GROUP 25 (VIw-2) In this group are poorly drained silty soils o:f the Tor- pedo Lake series. These soils are in nearly level to strong- ly sloping .drainageways and seepage areas. They have a tight clayey subsoil and are too wet :for cultivation. Arti- ficial drainage is not :feasible. Some patches o:f native grasses are suitable :for light grazing, and :forage yields could probably be improved by removing scattered brush and trees. MANAGEMENT GROUP 26 (VIw-3) This group consists o:f poorly drained soils o:f the Tor- pedo Lake series and well-drained soils o:f the Homestead series that are intermingled in a complex pattern. These soils are silty. The poorly drained soils are in swales, drainageways, and seepage areas that separate the small, undulating to moderately steep knolls and ridges occu- pied by the well-drained soils. These complexes are not suitable :for extensive culti- vation and ordinarily should be left in native vegetation. The irregular patches o:f Torpedo Lake soils are too wet :for cultivation unless urained, and drainage is not :feasi- ble. The native grasses that commonly grow on these soils oan be used :for light grazing, !hut they are readily de- stroyed by overgrazing. Removing brush and scattered trees :from these poorly drained places probably would improve the stands o:f grass. Most o:f the well-drained sites are occupied by the Homestead soils and support :forests, mostly o:f paper birch. In some places the trees are o:f merchantable size. The well-drained sites are too irregular and small :for :farming. I:f needed, they could be cleared and improved :for pasture. MANAGEMENT GROUP 27 (VIw-4) Moose River silt loam is the only soil in this group. It is a poorly drained soil in low areas along streams. This soil is not suited to cultivated crops. It should be left in native vegetation. It has a rapidly :fluctuating wa- ter table, and artificial drainage generally is not :feasi- ble. I:f needed, it could be cleared o:f brush and seeded to perennial grasses :for hay or pasture. MANAGEMENT GROUP 28 (VIIe-1) This group consists o:f silty, well-drained soils o:f the Boden burg, Knik, Doone, Homestead, Jim, N aptowne, and Talkeetna series. All o:f .these soils are steep except the Talkeetna, which is moderately steep to steep. These soils are susceptible to severe erosion i:f cultivated. They should be left in native vegetation, which consists mainly o:f :forests in which paper birch, quaking aspen, and white spruce are dominant. In places there are stands ,o:f merchantable trees. Also, there are large areas o:f shrubs and brushy vegetation that provide excellent browse and cover :for wildlife. Patches o:f native grasses are suitable :for grazing, but they are widely scattered and can be severely damaged by overgrazing. I:f these soils are cleared, they should be seeded to pe- rennial grasses to control erosion. Forage yields vary widely, depending on seasonal rainfall and slope expo- sure. Normally, the south-:facing slopes produce :forage earlier in spring .than north-:facing slopes but are droughtier. Fertilizing at regular intervals and con- trolling grazing can improve yields and help to insure longer lasting stands. The control o:f grazing also helps to prevent gullying. MANAGEMENT GROUP 29 (VIIs-1) Homestead silt loam, very shallow, steep, is the only soil in this group. This soil is extremely droughty and is extremely susceptible to erosion. It should be left in na- tive vegetation, which consists mostly o:f paper birch, aspen, and a :few white spruce trees. In addition, there are many patches o:f brushy vegetation that are excel- lent wildlife hab]tats. I:f needed, this soil can be seeded to perennial grasses and used :for pasture, but regular applications o:f :fertili- zer and careful management o:f grazing are required to maintain satisfactory stands and to control gullying. Even under careful management, average yields o:f :for- age are low. MANAGEMENT GROUP 30 (VIIs-2) This. group consists o:f excessively drained sandy soils o:f the Anchorage series. For the most part, these soils are moderately steep, but some are hilly and some are steep. They are extremely droughty, and they blowread- ily i:f the surface is exposed. They are suitable :for :forests or :for 'wildlife habitats. MANAGEMENT GROUP 31 (VIIw-1) Kali:fonsky silt loam, strongly sloping to steep, is the only soil in ·this group. H is a somewhat poorly drained soil on north-facing slopes. This soil reinains cool and moi<?t throughout the grow- ing season because o:f seepage :from adjoining slopes and insufficient sunlight. It is susceptible to erosion i:f the na~ tive vegetation is removed. In places the native vegeta- 46 SOIL SURVEY tion can be used for light grazing, but forage yields are low. The trees consist mainly. of slow-growing black spruce and have little commercial value. MANAGEMENT GROUP 32 (VIIw-2) This group consists of stony, poorly drained and very poorly drained soils of the Coal Creek, Jacobsen, and Slikok series. These soils are in low, nearly lev~l areas and in gently sloping clrainageways. They are too wet and stony for cultiv.atecl crops or improved pasture, and artificial drainage is not feasible. Some areas of native grasses can be used for light grazing, but these are widely scattered. Most areas support many kinds of vegetation that provides excellent food and cover for wildlife. MANAGEMENT GROUP 33 (Vllw-3) Mixed alluvial land is the only mapping unit in this group. ·This land type occurs along streams. It is fre- quently flooded and covered with deposits of medium- textured to coarse-teX'turecl sediments. Generally, .this land should be left in native vegetation, which provides excellent habitat for wildlife. In places the native grasses are suitable for grazing, but these are readily destroyed by overgrazing, and the forage yields are quite low. Small areas of this land probably could be cleared and seeded to perennial ·grasses for pasture, but extensive im- provements are not feasible. MANAGEMENT 'GROUP 34 (VIIw-4) This O'roup consists of very poorly drained pea;t soils of the Clunie and Salamatof series. These soils are in muskegs. They are extremely acid and generally are wa- terlogged. Even if drained, they pr<jbably would not be suited to crops. They produce a few sparse stands of sedges and grasses that could be used for grazing, but yields are very low. Generally, these soils should be left in native vegetation. MANAGEMENT GROUP 35 (Vllls-1) This group consists of Rough mountainous land, Sea cliffs, and Terrace escarpments. These lands are steep and shallow qr are bare of soil. They are not suitable for brming. They support hardly any trees of merchantable size, hut the vegetrution in places is beneficial to wildlife. Landslides and other unstable areas are common. If the cover is removed or disturbed, erosion is likely to occur. MANAGEMENT GROUP 36 (Vlllw-1) In this group are Gravelly alluvial land and Tidal flats, which are frequently flooded and covered by sediments. These areas are not suitable for farming and do not suppont merchantable timber. The Tidal flats are nearly bare of vegeta;tion, but on the Gravelly alluvial land there are patches of willows, grasses, and other plants beneficial to wildlife. Wildlife s Big and small game animals, upland game birds, migratory waterfowl, furbearers, and many other roam- 5 This subsection· is~l:lased upon the work of RHODE and BARKER (10) and upon information supplied by RONALD BATCHELOR, game biologist, .Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Palmer, .Alaska. mals and birds frequent the Matanuska Valley Area. Trout, salmon, and Arctic grayling are in many of the lakes and streams. The Alaska moose is the most significant big game animal in the Area. The moose population fluctuates according to the availability of browse and other habitat conditions. In 1964 there were about 2,400 moose in the Area. ·willow, small paper birch, and quaking aspen provide most of their browse. Black bears and a few Alaskan brown bears can be seen occasionally on the nearby mountain slopes when berries are ripe and along streams when salmon are rmming. Spruce grouse and willow ptarmigan are the principal upland game birds. Ptarmigan generally prefer the higher elevations. The Area is also a stopover and resting ground for migratory waterfowl. Goldeneye, mallard, and pintail are among the species of clucks that nest along the river bottoms, small streams, and lakes. A few whistling swans nest on several shallow lakes near the mouth of the Knik River. Sandhill cranes, yellowlegs, Wilson's snipe, loons, and other shore and water birds also nest in the Area. Beaver are perhaps the most important furbearers. Other furbearers are land otter, muskrat, weasel, lynx, wolf, fox, marten at higher elevations, and a few wolverines. Other small animals are snowshoe hare, red squirrel, and ground squirrel. Eagles, hawks, ravens, and nu- merous songbirds also occur in the Area. Rainbow and Dolly Varden trout are in many of the lakes and small streams. A few of the lakes also have Arctic grayling and landlocked silver salmon. Annual spawning runs of king, silver, red, pink, and chum salmon occur in many of the rivers and streams during the summer. The kinds and abundance of wildlife in different parts of the Area depend largely upon the type and condition of the habitat, which, in turn, are related to the kinds of soil and land use. Following are some statements about the distribution of wildlife m relation to the soil associ- ations in the Matanuska Valley Area. These associations are described in another section of this survey and are delineated on the General Soil Map. Bodenburg association.-This is the most intensively farmed and settled part of the Matanuska Valley Area, and the most common species of wildlife are those that frequent the open fields and brushy patches bordering woodlots. Fox, red squirrel, field mice, and songbirds are fairly numerous. Early in spring and fall, migrating flocks of clucks and sandhill cranes can be seen feeding in the open fields where small, temporarily ponded depressions are common. In the winter when snow is deep, moose often seek the more easily traveled roads, highways, and open land where they browse heavily on the patches of brush, and they occasionally feed on shocked grain left in the field over winter. There are no sizable lakes or streams in this association other than the Matanuska River, which flows along the eastern boundary and crosses a part of the association in the southeast. Although a few salmon run this river in the summer and early in fall, its waters are frequently laden with sediments that make it undesirable for sport fishing. Doone-Knik association.-There are many scattered farms in this association, but the forest understory and MATANUSK..P.. VALLEY AREA, ALASKA 4'7 of brush provide moderate browse for moose. A of these animals stay throughout the year, but by the greatest numbers are present in the winter when snow at higher elevations forces them to come down. small ponds are occasionally used by ducks. Sev- of the small streams tributary to the Matanuska support a few Dolly Varden trout, a few graylings, small runs of spawning salmon. Most of these c.sLJ:IjU,lll"' however, provide little in the way of sport fish- because they have a rapidly fluctuating water level often carry large quantities of silt. Homestead association.-Most of this association is .'UJ-'-"""'"~vu. and is forested with stands of paper birch f!.nd spruce that are nearing maturity. Consequently, forest understory is sparse, except in scattered burned and around a few fo.rest openings. This type of Vljl~lj~"'~'·vll provides a small to moderate amount of for moose and limited cover for smaller animals. Spruce grouse and songbirds are numerous. Only a few scattered lakes and ponds are suitable for ducks. A few beavers also inhabit the lakes and some of the small streams. Except for one or two lakes that harbor rain- . bow trout, these waters generally are not suitable for fish. The insects in many -fallen and mature trees and the . .·scattered patches of wild berries are food for black bear .. that frequently travel through this part of the Area in spring and summer. Homestead-Knik association.-With the exception of ·waterfowl and shore birds, this association is moderately · populated with all species of wildlife common to the Matanuska Valley Area. The vegetation is typically forest, but many streams, wet places, small muskegs, and scattered lakes provide a variety of habitats for many large and small mammals. Rainbow trout, Dolly Varden trout; and grayling are common in many of the streams and scattered lakes, but only a few of the streams have small runs of spawning salmon. ., Homestead-Jacobsen association.-Though other asso- ciations are similar to it, this association probably has , the greatest variety of vegetation in the Matanuska Val- ley Area. The shallow, well-drained Homestead soils, ·. which are dominant on uplands, support forests in all stages of growth, including many small tracts of young birch and willow brush, as shown in figure 14. The associated, poorly drained mineral soils are com- monly covered with patches of willow, alder, grass, and sedge. A few areas support solid stands of black spruce · or a thick grolmd cover of moss. This variety in vegeta- tion makes excellent year-round habitat for moose, black bear, fox, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, spruce grouse, and other animals and birds. Trout are fairly plentiful in most of the larger lakes and streams, many of which are spawning waters for substantial runs of salmon in summer and fall. In addi- tion, there are many small lakes and ponds used by waterfowl. Beaver, mink, and other furbearers are also , plentiful in and around these waters. The many muskegs, in which poorly drained peat soils are dominant, are used by terns, yellowlegs, sandhill cranes, and similar birds. -Along Knik Arm are small tracts of Tidal marsh fre- quented by shore birds. . Homestead-Nancy association.-The wildlife habitat m this association is similar to that in the Homestead- Jacobsen association. Except that there are no shore birds, the kinds of wildlife also are similar. Knik-Ooal Creek association.-Except for a greater number of farms and the lack of frontage on Knik Arm, the habitat for wildlife in this association is comparable to that in the Homestead-Jacobsen association. Some of the lakes have been stocked with silver salmon, in addi- tion to rainbow trout. -Naptowne-Spenard association.-The Naptowne soils, which are dominant in this association, support nearly mature stands of paper birch and white spruce. The density of most stands is fairly low, and consequently there is a heavy understory of brushy vegetation that is excellent habitat for moose, black bear, and many small animals. Several of the larger lakes have a good stock of rainbow trout, but only one or two streams are large enough for fish. A few ducks nest in the ponds and lakes, but the shoreline bordering Knik Arm consists mainly of a. narrow, gravelly beach used mostly by a few shore b1rds. Salamatof-Jacobsen association.-The peat soils in this association support a muskeg type of vegetation that pro- vides little browse or cover suitable for moose and other animals. Bordering the muskegs, however, are poorly drained mineral soils that support willow and other brushy vegetation useful to many kinds of wildlife. In the small ponds in this association grow aquatic plants that supplement the diet of moose early in summer and provide food for certain species of ducks. The large, open muskegs are also chosen as nesting grounds by sandhill cranes. Torpedo Lake-Homestead association.-This soil asso- ciation is at higher elevations than most other parts of the Matanuska Valley Area. The complex pattern of poorly drained Torpedo Lake soils and well-drained Homestead soils supports an equally complex pattern of vegetation and wildlife habitat. Dense thickets of alder and willow, separated by many patches of grass and sedge, are common on the poorly drained sites. The well- drained soils on knolls and ridges support overmature stands of paper birch and white spruce, interspersed with large patches of grass and herbaceous plants. This type of habitat is especially suitable for moose, bear, spruce grouse, and ptarmigan, all of which are fairly abundant in this association. In winter the moose migrate to lower elevations, where the snow is rtot so deep. This association has no suitable habitat for migratory waterfowl or shore birds. The streams, which are small and rapid, have only a few trout. Beaver, mink, wolf, and fox are fairly abundant. Tidal 111 arsh-Olunie association.-These low, poorly drained, nearly level areas are almost treeless and are especially desirable as habitat for waterfowl and shore birds. Grass, sedge, and many kinds of aquatic plants grow on the extensive tracts of Tidal marsh. Large flocks of ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, and shore birds and a few small flocks of whistling swans use the marsh as a stopover place during spring and fall migrations; many also nest in the marsh. Susitna-Niklason association.-Nearly all species of wildlife common to the Area can be found in this soil association. Moose are generally scarce in the summer but concentrate here in the winter. 48 SOIL SURVEY Figure 14.-Young s t a nd of pape r birch and willo w on rec e ntly burned-over s ite pt·ovi d es browse fo r mo ose. Typica l for est of paper bi r ch a nd white s pr uce in backg r ound has escape d burning. Soils in Engineering This section contains information about the use of soils as material in construction. Mo st of the infor mati on is presented u1 three tabl es . Table 5, "Estimated prop- el-ti es of the soils," and table 6, "Engineering interpreta- tions of the soil properties," are based partly on the test data shown in t able 7 . T h ese tables, with the soil ma;p and the informat ion on soils given el sewhere in th1 s survey, can be used by engineers t o- 1. Make soil and l and-use studies that will aid in selecting and devel opina sites for industrial, busn1ess, r esidential, and recr eational purposes. 2 . Make prelllninary evaluations of soil conditions that will aid in sel ecting lo cations for hi~hways, airports, piplines, and cables and in pJal111ing detailed so il surveys of the sel ected locations. 3. D evelo p infor mation for the design of drain age and i rrigation syst ems, farm ponds, and other structures for soil and water con se r vation. 4. Locate sources of sand and graveL 5. Correlate p erformance of str uctures with soil mapping units, and thus develop information th at can be u seful in desi gning and maintaining new structures. 6. D etermine the suitability of so ils for off-ro ad mo vement of vehicles and construction equip- ment. . 7. Supplement infor mation obtained from other published som·ces and make maps and r eports th at can be used r eadily by engineers. 8. Develop other preliminary estimates for con- struction purposes pertinent to the particular ar ea. Wit h the use of t he soil map for identifi cation, the enginee ring estimates and interpretations reported h ere can be useful for many purposes . It should be emphasized that they may not eliminate the need for sampluw and testing at the site of specific engineering works invgh·ing h eavy l oads or excavations deeper than the depths of layers here reported. Even in these situations, the soil map i s useful for planning more d etail ed field investiga- tions and f or suggesting the kinds of problems that may be expected. Some of t h e terms use d in this report have sp ecial meanings in soil scien ce that do not correspond with the 1'·_·.· .. ~~ i'' ,· . . ~-~·: ~~ MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 49 ): meanings of the same terms in engineering. These terms ' are defined in the Glossary according to their meaning ' in soil science. For additional information about the soils, Sand and gravel can also be obtained in many places on the flood plains of major streams. Many of these areas, however, are subject to a seasonally high water table or to overflow, which may make excavation difficult. engineers may want .to refer to "Descriptions of the _ Soils," "Formation and Classification of the Soils," and other sections of this survey. Most of the well-drained soils on moraines are under- lain by gravelly glacial drift that contains a varying amount of medium-grained and fine-grained particles. In places, there are many large stones and boulders. Gen-Engineering Soil Classification Systems -erally, the Homestead and Nancy soils are underlain by Most highway engineers classify soil material accord-gravelly drift that contains only a small quantity of fine ing to the system approved by the American Association particles and is fairly suitable for gravel. The Naptowne of State Highway Officials (93) · In this system, soil soils, which occur on moraines in the western part of the materials are classified in seven principal groups. The Area, are underlain by glacial drift that is usually less groups range from A-1, which consists of gravelly soil desirable or is unsuitable as a source of gravel because it of high bearing capacity, to A-7, which consists of fine-contains a higher proportion of fine-grained particles. It grained soils having low strength when wet. Within each also generally contains many large stones and boulders. group, the relative engineering value of the soil material Frost action.-This is a major engineering problem in is indicated by a group index number. These numbers the Matanuska Valley. Most of the uplands are covered range from 0 for the best material to 20 for the poor-with a mantle of loess that is less than 10 inches thick in est. The group index number is shown in parentheses Homestead soils and more than 50 inches thick in Baden- following the group classification symbol. burg soils; but it is commonly between 10 and 30 inches Some engineers prefer. to use the pnified. soil cla::;sifi-thick throughout the Area. This loess is susceptible to cation system (16) ·In this system, sml matenals are Iden-severe frost action and generally is not good material for tified as coarse grained· ( 8 clas~s) ' fine gr3:ined. ( 6 classe~)' construction. When wet, it is soft and slippery. and may or highly organic. An approximate classification of soils not support heavy equipment; when dry, it is dusty. by this system can be made in the field. On the extensive river terraces, especially in the eastern Estimated Properties of the Soils The estimated properties in table 5, are based on test data in table 7. Permeability, measured in inches per hour, was deter- mined for soils without compaction and after the removal of free water. Available water capacity is the approximate amo~nt of capillary water in a soil that is .wet to f~eld capa<?Ity. It is the amount of water that will wet air-dry sml to a depth of 1 inch without .deeper percola~ion. Poorly drained soils normally contam more than this amount of water before drainage. Dispersion ~efers to .the ~egree and r:ate of the break- · down, or slakmg, of the ~011. st~cture m 'water. . The shrink-swell potential m~ICates the ext~nt to ~hiCh a soil will shink or swell with changes m mOisture content. Engineering Interpretations of the Soil Properties The interpretations of soil properties in table 6 a~e based on the estimates in table 5, on actual test data m table 7, and on field experience. Sources of gravel and s.and.-The Bodenburg, D~one, and Knik soils and nearly all of the o~her well-dram~d soils on river terraces and outwash plams are underlam by water-laid, loose very gravelly material. This material is free of silt and clay but commonly contains layers and pockets of sand. The gravel is rounded, and in places there are many cobblestones 3 to 6 inches in diameter. Gravel pits can be located almost anywhere in these areas, but. the overburde~ of medium-textur~d wi~d-laid material Is generally th10ker near large nvers m the eastern part of the Area and in places near the tidal plains. part of the Area, the loess in the well-drained soils is underlain by water-laid gravel, which is nearly free of silt and clay and is not susceptible to frost action. Moraines in the eastern part of the Area are made up of material nearly as coarse textured as that on the ter- races, though there is generally a slight admixture of fine-grained particles. Most moraines in the central and western parts of the Area contain a higher proportion of fine-grained material, but susceptibility to frost action is still slight to moderate. In areas of Naptowne soils, how- ever, the substratum contains lenses and pockets of fine material and is more susceptible to frost heaving. Large, angu~ar boulders are fairly common throughout the moraines. Most soils in depressions and on flood plains and the Torpedo Lake soils on hills in the north-central part of the Area are wet throughout summer and can be traversed in summer only by vehicles, designed to operate in wet are~s. These soils are highly susceptible to frost action in sprmg. Peat soils in muskegs are common in the Matanuska Valley Area. These soils are nearly always wet to the surface, and the muskegs are difficult to drain. Peat has no value as construction material or as foundation mate- rial. If possible, it should be excavated before con- struction. Because of the difficulty in maintaining proper control of moisture for compaction when soil is frozen, the con- struction of embankments and other earthworks with frost-susceptible material should be avoided in winter. Agricultural drainage.-Drainage of the soils for agri- cultural purposes is physically possible, but it probrubly cannot be justified economically until a much greater pro- portion of the uplands is cleared. Drainage of peat soils for agriculture in the Area is not advisable. 50 SOIL SURVEY TABLE 5.--Estimated [Dashed lines indicate I Classification Depth ---------------------,-----------,~-------1 Soil name and map symbols Unified AASHO ,:::, I USDA t~t= I --------------------------------------1--- Anchorage sand (AcC, AcE). Anchorage silt loam (AhA). Anchorage very fine sandy loam (AnB, AnC, AnD, An E). Bodenburg silt loam (BbA, BbB, BbC, BbD, BkF). (For Knik part of BkF, see Knik silt loam.) Bodenburg very fine sandy loam (BdA, BdB, BdC, BdD, BdE). Chena silt loam (Ct). Clunie peat (CI). Coal Creek silt loam (Co). Coal Creek stony silt loam (Cs). Doone silt loam (DeA, DeB, DeC, DkD, DkE, DkF). (For Knik par.t of DkD, DkE, and DkF, see Knik silt loam.k.· Flat Horn silt loam (FhA, FhB, FhC, FhE). Gravelly alluvial land (Ga). Gravel pits and Strip mines (Gp). Homestead silt loam (HoA, HoB, HoC, HoD, HoE, HoF). Homestead silt loam, very shallow (HsA, HsB, HsC, HsD, HsE, HsF). Jacobsen verystony silt loam (JaA, JaB). Jim silt loam (JbD, JbF). ' (For Boden burg part of J b D and J b F, see Boden- burg silt loam.) Kalifonsky silt loam (KaA, KaC, KaE). See footnote at end of table. Inches 0 to 40 0 to 6 6 to 12 12 to 40 0 to 6 6 to 12 12 to 40 0 to 36 36 to 48 0 to 48 0 to 4 4 to 18 0 to 25 25 to 36 0 to 9 9toH 14 to 28 28 to 41 Sand ______________________ SM ______________ A-3 or A-2 __ _ Silt loam ___________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Fine sand __________________ SP or SM ________ A-3 or A-2 __ _ Sand _______________________ SP or SM ________ A-3 or A-2 __ _ Very fine sandy loam________ ML___ ________ ___ A-4 _________ _ Fine sand __________________ SP or SM ________ A-3 or A-2 __ _ Sand _______________________ SP or SM ________ A-3 or A-2 __ _ Silt loam ___________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Very gravelly sand __________ GW or GP _______ A-L ________ _ Very fine sandy loam ________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Silt loam ___________________ ML_ _____________ A-4 _________ _ Very gravelly sand__________ GW or GP _ _ _ _ ___ A-L ________ _ Peat _______________________ Pt ____________________________ _ Silty clay loam ______________ CL or CH ________ A-7 _________ _ Silt loam ___________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Silty clay loam ______________ CL_ _____________ A-6 _________ _ Silt loam___________________ CL_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ ___ A-6 _________ ._ Clay loam __________________ CL ______________ A-6 _________ _ 0 to 20 Stony silt loam ______________ ML or CL ________ A-4 or A-6 __ _ 20 to 30 Stony loam _________________ GM or GP-GM ___ A-L ________ _ 0 to 33 Silt loam ___________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ 33 to 40 Very gravelly sand__________ GW or GP _ _ _ _ ___ A-L ________ _ 0 to 8 8 to 19 19 to 40 0 to 60 (1) 0 to 15 15 to 30 0 to 8 8 to 30 0 to 26 26 to 32 0 to 26 26 0 to 28 28 to 40 Silt loam __________________ _ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Fine sandy loam ___________ _ Fine sand, very fine sand, and silt loam. ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ SM ______________ A-4 _________ _ Very gravelly sand ___________ GW or GP ________ A-L ________ _ Silt loam ___________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Very gravelly sand ___________ GW, GP, or GM __ A-L ________ _ Silt loam ___________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Very gravelly sand ___________ GW, GP, or GM __ A-L ________ _ Very stony silt loam or very GM ______________ A-1 or A-2 __ _ stony loam. Very stony sand _____________ GW or GP ________ A-L ________ _ Silt loam ___________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Bedrock ___________________________________________________ _ Silt loam ___________________ ML or OL ________ A-4 or A-5 __ _ Very gravelly sand ___________ GW or GP _______ A-L _______ _ t> i.t·:" t:. r". MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA 51 Cproperties of the soils j'. estimates were not made] Percentage passing sieve- Available - I Permeability water Reaction Dispersion Shrink-swell potential No.4 No. 10 I No. 200 capacity (4.76 mm.) (2 mm.) (0.074 mm.) - Inches per hour Inches per inch of soil pH 100 80 to 90 10 to 15 5 to 10 . 02 to. 04 5. 0 to 6. 0 Low _______________ Low. 100 100 70 to 80 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 25 to. 30 4. 5 to 5. 5 High _______________ Low. 100 100 5 to 15 5 to 10 . 04 to. 05 5. 0 to 5. 5 Low __________ -----Low. 100 90 to 100 5 to 10 5 to 10 . 02 to. 04 5. 0 to 5. 5 Low _______ --___ ---Low. 100 100 60 to 70 0. 8 to 1.2 . 20 to. 25 4. 0 to 5. 0 Moderate to high ____ Low. 100 100 5 to 15 5 to 10 . 04 to. 05 5. 0 to 5. 5 Low _______________ Low. 100 90 to 100 5 to 10 5 to 10 . 02 to. 04 5. 0 to 5. 5 Low _______________ Low. 100 100 80 to 90 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 25 to. 30 5. 0 to 6. 0 High _______________ Low . 40 to 50 25 to 40 5 to 10 >10 <-02 ------------Low ____________ ---Low. 100 100 60 to 80 0. 8 to 1.2 . 20 to. 25 4. 5 to 6. 0 Moderate to high ____ ·Low . 100 100 80 to 90 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 25 to. 30 4. 5 to 5. 5 High _______________ Low . 40 to 50 25 to 40 5 to 10 >10 <· 02 ------------Low ____________ ---Low. -----------------------------------------------------------------4. 5 to 5. 5 --------------------100 100 85 to 95 0. 2 to 0. 5 . 28 to. 32 4. 5 to 5. 5 Moderate ___________ High. 100 100 80 to 90 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 25 to. 30 4. 0 to 4. 5 High _______________ Low. 100 100 85 to 95 0. 2 to 0. 5 . 28 to. 32 4. 5 to 5. 0 Moderate ___________ Moderate. 90 to 100 80 to 90 70 to 80 0. 2 to 0. 5 . 25 to. 30 4. 5 to 5. 0 High to moderate ____ Moderate. 90 to 100 80 to 90 60 to 70 0. 2 to 0. 5. . 28 to. 32 4. 5 to 5. 0 Moderate ___________ Moderate. 80 to 90 70 to 80 50 to 60 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 25 to. 30 4. 0 to 5. 0 High _______________ Low . 40 to 50 20 to 30 5 to 15 5 to 10 . 10 to . 14 4. 5 to 5. 0 Low _______________ Low . 100 100 80 to 90 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 25 to. 30 5. 0 to 6. 0 High _______________ Low. 40 to 50 25 to 40 5 to 10 >10 <· 02 ------------Low _______________ Low. 100 100 80 to 90 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 25 to. 30 4. 5 to 5. 5 High _______________ Low. 100 100 50 to 60 0.8tol.2 . 15 to. 20 5. 0 to 5. 5 Low to moderate ____ Low. 100 100 40 to 50 0. 8 to 1. 2 . 15 to. 20 5.0to6.0 Low _______________ Low. 60 to 75 40 to 50 5 to 10 >10 --------------------------Low _______________ Low. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------,. 100 90 to 100 65 to 75 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 25 to. 30 4. 5 to 5. 5 High ______ -.-_______ Low . 40 to 50 25 to 40 0 to 20 >10 <.02 5. 0 to 5. 5 Low _______________ Low. 100 90 to 100 65 to 75 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 25 to. 30 4. 5 to 5. 5 High _______________ Low . 40 to 50 25 to 40 0 to 20 >10 <.02 5. 0 to 5. 5 Low _______________ Low. 50 to 60 40 to 50 20 to 30 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 15 to . 20 4. 5 to 5. 5 Low to madera te ____ Low. 40 to 50 30 to 40 5 to 10 5 to 10 . 02 to. 04 4. 5 to 5. 5 Low _______ --------Low. 100 100 80 to 90 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 25 to. 30 5. 0 to 6. 0 High _______________ Low. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 100 100 80 to 90 0. 5 to 0. 8 . 25 to. 30 5. 0 to 6. 0 High ______________ -Low. 40 to 50 25 to 40 5 to 10 >IO <· 02 ------------Low ______________ -Low. 52 Soil name and map symbols Kenai silt loam (KeB). Knik silt loam (KnA, KnB, KnC, KnD, KnE, KnF). Matanuska silt loam ( M a). Mixed alluvial land ( M I). Moose River silt loam ( M r). Nancy silt loam (NaA, NaB, NaC, NaD, NaE). Naptownesiltloam (NpA, NpB, NpC, NpD, NpE, NpF). Niklason silt loam (Ns). Niklason very fine sand (Nv). Reedy silt loam ( Re). Rough mountainous land ( Rm). Salamatof peat (Sa, Sf). Schrock silt loam (ShA, ShB). Sea cliffs (SI). Slikok mucky silt loam (Sm). Slikok stony mucky silt loam (Sn). Spenard silt loam (SpA, SpB). Susitna silt loam (Su). Susitna very fine sand (Sv, SwA). (For Niklason part of SwA, see Niklason very fine sand.) See footnote at end of table. SOIL SURVEY Depth from surface Inches 0 to 10 10 to 20 20 to 32 0 to 19 19 to 32 0 to 9 9 to 18 18 to 32 (I) 0 to 6 6 to 14 14 to 38 38 to 48 0 to 21 21 to 32 0 to 19 19 to 30 0 to 15 15 to 30 0 to 15 15 to 30 0 to 18 18 to 40 (!) 0 to 50 TABLE 5.-Estimated properties Olassifica tion USDA texture Unified AASHO Silt loam or loam ____________ ML or OL _____ ._., __ A-4 or A-6 __ _ Sandy clay loam____________ SO or OL ______ .<t ~ A-6 or A-7 __ _ Gravelly clay loam__________ SO ___________ ,._ A-2 or A-6 __ _ Silt loam _____________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Very gravelly sand ___________ GW, GM, or SP ___ A-1 or A-3 __ _ Silt loam ____________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Silty clay loam ______________ OL _______________ A-6 or A-7 __ _ Gravelly sand _______________ GW or GM _______ A-L ________ _ Silt loam ___________________ _ Fine sand __________________ _ Fine sand and silt loam ______ _ Very gravelly sand __________ _ OL or ML_ _______ 1 ~C~~-sM:-_-_:=====1 GW or GP _______ _ A-4 or A-5 __ _ A-3 _________ _ A-2 or A-4 __ _ A-1 _________ _ Silt loam ___________________ _ ML _________ _: ___ _ .A-4 _________ _ Very gravelly sand __________ _ GW or GP _______ _ A-L _______ _ Silt loam ____________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Gravelly sandy loam _________ GM or SM ________ A-2 _________ _ Silt loam ____________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ Very gravelly sand___________ GW or GP ____ _ __ _ A-L ________ _ Very fine sand and silt loam __ SM or ML _______ A-2 or A-4 __ _ Very gravelly sand__________ GW or GP _______ A-L ________ _ Silt loam___________________ ML____ __ __ __ __ __ A-4 _________ _ Silty clay loam ______________ OL or OH ________ A-7 _________ _ Peat_______________________ Pt ____________________________ _ 0 to 22 Silt loam ___________________ ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ 22 to 34 Silt loam and very fine sandy ML ______________ A-4 _________ _ loam. 34 to 52 Gravelly sand _______________ GM _____________ A-L ________ _ (1) 0 to 8 8 to 42 0 to 20 0 to 5 5 to 14 14 to 31 0 to 15 15 to 35 35 to 46 0 to 30 30 to 48 Silt loam ___________________ OL ______________ A-5 or A-4 __ _ Silt loam ___________________ OL-ML __________ A-5 or A-4 __ _ Stony silt loam ______________ GM ______________ A-1 or A-2 __ _ Silt loam ___________________ OL or ML ________ A-5 or A-4 __ _ Sandy clay loam ____________ SO, ML, or OL ___ A-4 or A-6 __ _ Gravelly silty clay loam ______ SM, SO, or ML ___ A-4 ________ _ Silt loam ___________________ ML_ _____________ A-4 ________ _ Fine sand and silt loam______ SM or ML_ _ _ _ __ _ A-2 or A-4_ __ Very gravelly sand__________ GW or GP _ _ _ _ __ _ A-L ________ _ Veryfinesand,finesand, SMorML _______ A-2orA-4_ __ and silt loam. Very gravelly sand __________ GW or GP _______ A-L _______ _ MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASXA 53 of the soils-Continued •.' ·., ~~-------,-----------,------.,-----------,---------,------------ Percentage passr ':sieve-- No. 4 No. c'J No. 200 Available water capacity Reaction Dispersion Shrink-swell potential I I Permeability ~mm.) ~I~-(0.074mm.) -------,-------:·-----:----------:---------- 100 85 to 95 60 to 70 100 40 to 70 100 80 to 90 50 to 60 100 90 to 100 90 to 100 40 to 50 100 40 to 50 100 65 to 75 100 40 to 50 100 40 to 50 ./ 100 100 100 100 50 to 60 ------------- 100 90 to 100 50 to 60 SO to 100 75 to 85 60 to 90 100 100 40 to 50 100 40 to 50 85 t ') 95 75 -J 85 40 t Q 50 100 40 t 0 60 100 70 t 0 80 30 t 0 40 100 8b t 0 90 sot 0 90 . 25 t 0 40 100 '25 t 0 40 90 t 0 100 55 t 0 65 100 25 t 0 40 90 t 25 t 0 100 0 40 100 100 100 100 30 to 40 I ------------ 100 80 t 0 90 40 t 0 50 70 to 90 65 to 75 50 to 75 100 90 to 100 25 to 40 90 to 100 25 to 40 60 to 70 45 to 55 30 to 40 80 to 90 0 to 15 80 to 90 60 to 70 10 to 20 80 to 100 5 to 10 30 to 60 5 to 10 80 to 90 5 to 10 60 to SO 25 to 35 70 to 80 5 to 10 30 to 60 5 to 10 60 to 70 S5 to 95 SO to 90 70 to SO 10 to 20 ------------ SO to 90 60 to 70 25 to 35 55 to 65 40 to 60 35 to 60 70 to 80 30 to 60 5 to 10 30 to 60 5 to 10 Inches per hour 0. 5 to 0. 8 0. 2 to 0. 5 0. 2 to 0. 5 0. 5 to 0.·8 >:JO 0. 5 to 0. 8 0. 2 to 0. 5 >10 0. 5 to 0. 8 5 to 10 0. 5 to 0. S >10 0. 5 to 0. 8 >10 0. 5 to 0. 8 1. 2 to 2. 5 0. 5 to 0. S >10 0.5to0.S >10 0. 5 to 0. 8 0. 2 to 0. 5 0. 5 to 0. S 0. 5 to 0. S 5 to 10 -------------- 0.5to0.S 0. 5 to 0. S 0. 5 to 0. 8 0. 5 to 0. S 0. 2 to 0. 5 0. 2 to 0. 5 0. 5 to 0. S 0. 5 to 0. S >10 0. 5 to 0. 8 >lO Inches per inch of soil . 25 to. 30 . 25 to. 30 . 20 to. 25 . 25 to. 30 <.02 . 25 to. 30 . 28 to. 32 <.02 . 25 to. 30 . 02 to. 04 . 16 to. 20 <.02 . 25 to. 30 <.02 . 25 to. 30 . OS to . 12 . 25 to. 30 <.02 . 16 to. 20 <. 02 . 25 to. 30 . 2S to. 32 . 25 to. 30 . 25 to. 30 . 02 to. 04 -------------- . 2S to. 32 . 25 to. 30 . 20 to. 25 . 25 to. 30 . 25 to. 30 .20to.25 . 25 to. 30 . 12 to. 16 <.02 . 16 to. 20 <.02 pH 4. 5 to 5. 5 5. 0 to 5. 5 5. 0 to 5. 5 5. 0 to 6. 0 ------------ 5. 0 to 6. 0 5. 0 to 6. 0 ------------ 4. 0 to 4. 5 4. 0 to 4. 5 4. 5 to 5. 0 4. 5 to 5. 0 4. 5 to 5. 5 ------------ 5. 0 to 6. 0 5. 0 to 6. 0 5. 0 to 6. 0 ------------ 5. 0 to 6. 0 ------------ 5. 0 to 6. 0 5. 5 to 6. 5 4. 0 to 5. 0 4.0to5.0 5. 0 to 5. 5 ------------ 5.0to5.5 5. 0 to 5 . .'i 5. 0 to 5. 5 4. 0 to 4. 5 4. 5 to 5. 0 4. 5 to 5. 0 5. 0 to 6. 0 5. 0 to 6. 0 ------------ 5. 0 to 6. 0 ------------ High _______________ Low to moderate. Low to moderate ____ Moderate. Low to moderate ____ Moderate . High ______________ Low. Low_--------------Low. High _______________ Low. Moderate __________ Moderate. Low ___________ -_--Low. High ___ ------------Low. Low _______________ Low. Moderate __________ Low. Low ___________ - -__ Low. High ______________ Low. Low _______________ Low. High _______________ Low. Low _______________ Low . High _______________ Low. Low _______________ Low. Moderate ___________ Low. Low _______________ Low. High _______________ Low. Moderate ___________ High. High _______________ Low. High_______________ Low. Low _______________ Low . -------------------- High _______________ Low . High _______________ Low. High _______________ Low. High _______________ Low. Moderate ___________ Moderate. Moderate ___________ Low to moderate. High _______________ Low. Low to moderate ____ Low. Low _______________ Low. Moderate ___________ Low. Low _______ --------Low. 54 SOIL SURVEY TABLE 5.-Estimated properties· .. Classification Depth Soil name and map symbols from I USDA texture AASHO surface Unified Inches Talkeetna silt loam (T a E). 0 to 14 Silt loam ___________________ 11L ______________ A-4 __________ 14 to 21 Gravelly sandy loam _________ G11 ______________ A-L _________ 21 to 30 Stony sandy loam ___________ G11 _____________ A-1 __________ errace escarpments (Te). (1) ------------------------------------------------------------ idal flats (Tf). (1) ------------------------------------------------------------ idal marsh (Tm). 0 to 45 Silty clay loam ______________ CL or CH ________ A-7 _________ T T T T orpedo Lake silt loam (ToA, ToB, ToC, ToD, TpB, 0 to 12 Silt loam ___________________ OL or 11L ________ A-5 or A-4_ __ TpC, TpD, TpE). (For Homestead part of TpB, TpC, TpD, and TpE, 12 to 26 Sandy clay loam ____________ SC or CL ________ A-6 or A-7 ___ see Homestead silt loam.) w asilla silt loam (Wa). 1 Variable. ~ Soil series and map symbols Topsoil 0 to 8 Silt loam ___________________ JVIL or CL ________ A-4 or A-6 ___ 8 to 22 Sandy clay loam ____________ SC or CL _________ A-6 or A-7 ___ 22 to 48 Sand and silt loam ___________ S11 ______________ A-2 _______ -- TABLE 6.-Engineering interpretations Suitability as source of- Sand Gravel R~ad fill Potential frost action t --------------l-----------1---------l---------:--------l-------- Anchorage (AcC, AcE, AhA, AnB, AnC, AnD, AnE). Bodenburg (BbA, BbB, BbC, BbD, BdA, BdB, BdC, BdD, BdE, BkF). (For Knik part of BkF, see Knik series.) Poor___________ Fair; fine sand, some silt ad- mixture. Good ___________ Unsuitable above a depth of 36 inches; substra- tum gravelly. Chena (Ct) _ _ _ __ _____ ___ ___ _ __ _ Poor___________ Fair; strata of fine and medium sand inter- bedded with poorly graded gravel; many cobblestones ·and stones. Unsuitable________ Good_____________ Low ____________ _ Unsuitable above a depth of 36 inches; good in substratum. Good; some large stones and many cobble- stones. Poor above a depth of 36 inches; substra- tum excellent. High above a depth of 36 inches; low in substratum. Good _____________ Low ____________ _ Clunie (CI) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Unsuitable; Unsuitable________ Unsuitable________ Unsuitable________ High ____________ _ peat material. Coal Creek (Co, Cs)_------------Surface layer Unsuitable ________ Unsuitable ________ Poor_ ____________ High ____________ _ good but usually wet. j I "I M~TANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA 55 •'· .. ioJ the soils-Continued Percentage passing sieve-- Available Permeability water Reaction Dispersion Shrink-swell potential No.4 No. 10 I No. 200 capacity (4.76 mm.) (2 mm.) (0.074 mm.) Inches per inch of Inches per hour soil pH 90 to 95 SO to 90 60 to 70 0. S to 1. 2 . 25 to. 30 4. 5 to 5. 5 Iligh _______________ Low . 50 to 60 40 to 50 15 to 25 5 to 10 . OS to. 12 5. 0 to 5. 5 Low _______________ Low. 40 to 50 30 to 40 15 to 25 5 to 10 . OS to. 12 5. 0 to 5. 5 .Low _______________ Low . &· ------------------------- --------------------------.---------------------------------------------- 100 100 S5 to 95 100 100 70 to SO SO to 90 70 to SO 45 to 55 100 100 SO to 90 90 to 100 SO to 90 45 to 55 90 to 100 75 to SO 20 to 30 of the soil properties . ./ Ilighway location Wind drifting on cleared areas along roads; poor traffic- ability. Erodibility of ex- posed embank- ments. Excessive drainage; stoniness; stable subsoil and sub- stratum. Pond reservoirs Rapid permeability; excessive seepage. Moderate permea- bility above a depth of 36 inches; porous substra- tum. Rapid permeability; excessive seepage. Peat over clayey Permanently high substratum; water water table. table at or near surface. Seasonal high water table; clayey sub- soil. foor drainage; slow permeability of subsoil; stones in places. 0. 2 to 0. 5 . 2S to. 32 5. 5 to 6. 5 0. 5 ton. s . 2S to. 32 5. 0 to 5. 5 0. 2 to 0. 5 . 20 to. 25 5. 0 to 5. 5 0. 5 to 0. S . 2S to. 32 4. 5 to 5. 5 0. 2 to 0. 5 . 20 to. 25 5.0to5.5· 0. 5 to 0. S . 12 to. 16 5. 0 to 5. 5 Soil features affecting- Pond embankments; Agricultural drainage dikes and levees Nloderate ___________ Iligh. Iligh _______________ Low . wioderate ___________ Moderate. Iligh _______ --------Low to moderate . I\1oderate ___________ Moderate. Low _______________ Low. Irrigation Waterways Excessive seepage ____ Not required _______ _ Low water-holding capacity and rapid intake rate; fre- quent irrigation required, Low water-holding capacity. Poor stability; piping; porous substratum. Excessive seepage; porous material. Poor stability; peat is porous. Fair stability; clayey material; stoniness in places. Soils erodible; shal- low ditches or land smoothing needed to dFain slight depressions. Medium water- holding capacity; medium intake rate. Moderate erodi- bility. Not required ________ Very low water-hold-Not required. Outlets generally lacking; very low fertility. Seasonal high water table; slow perme- ability of subsoil; stones in places interfere with ditch construc- tion. ing capacity; rapid intake rate. Not required ________ Not required. Not required________ Not required. 56 SOIL SURVEY 1 ~ ., TABLE 6.-Engineering interpretations j -~ Suitability as source of- Potential frost action Soil series and map symbols Doone (DeA, DeB, DeC, DkD, DkE, DkF). (For Knik part of DkD, DkE, and DkF, see Knik series.) Topsoil Sand Good__________ Unsuitable above a depth of 30 inches; sub- stratum gravelly. Flat Horn (FhA, FhB, FhC, FhE)_ Good __________ Unsuitable above a depth of 20 inches; sub- stratum fair; fine sand inter- bedded with silt. Gravelly alluvial land (Ga) ______ Unsuitable ______ Fair; some layers of sand inter- bedded with gravel. Gravel pits and Strip mines (Gp)_ Unsuitable ______ Fair; some layers Homestead (HoA, HoB, HoC, HoD, HoE, HoF, HsA, HsB, HsC, HsD, HsE, HsF). Fair; gravel at a depth of 6 to 15 inches. of sand inter- bedded with gravel. Fair; some sandy strata below a depth of 6 to 15 inches; cobblestones and stones. Gravel Unsuitable above · a depth of 30 inches; good below. Road fill Poor above a depth of 30 inches; sub- stratum ex- cellent. High above a depth of 30 inches; low in substratum. Unsuitable________ Fair_____________ Medium _________ _ Good; subject to flooding. Good____________ Low ____________ _ Good____________ Good____________ Low ____________ _ Good; thin over- burden of silt; many cobble- stones and stones. Good ____________ High above a depth of 6 to 15 inches; low in substratum. Jacobsen (JaA, JaB) ____________ Unsuitable; ; very stony. Unsuitable ________ Unsuitable ________ Poor; difficult to High _____________ _ work because of stones; high water table. Jim (JbD, JbF) _______________ _ Good __________ Unsuitable ________ Unsuitable ___ · _____ Poor; bedrock High in silty material above bedrock. (For Boden burg part of J b D and J b F, see Boden burg series.) Kalifonsky (KaA, KaC, KaE) ____ Good __________ Unsuitable _______ _ Unsuitable above a depth of 30 inches; sub- stratum good. below a depth of 20 to 30 inches. Poor _____________ High above a depth of 30 inches; low in substratum. Kenai ( KeB) ____ __ ___ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ Fair; contains Unsuitable________ Unsuitable ______ -_ Fair_------------High __ ----------- Knik (KnA, KnB, KnC, KnD, KnE, KnF). some stones; very shallow. Good; shallow to gravelly substratum. Matanuska (Ma) _______________ Good; shallow to clayey sub- soil. Fair; sandy strata interbedded with gravelly material in places below a depth of 15 to 24 inches. Fair below a depth of 20 inches; thin sandy strata in- terbedded with gravelly ma- terial. Good; overburden of silty material is 15 to 24 inches thick. Unsuitable above a depth of 20 inches; sub- stratum good. Poor above a depth of 15 to 24 inches; sub- stratum excel- lent. Poor above a depth of 20 inches; sub- stratum good. High above a depth of 15 to 24 inches; low in substratum. High above a depth of 20 inches; low in substratum. j I ~~~·- ~: ~:: f of the soil properties-Continued Highway location Pond reservoirs Erodibility of ex-Moderate perme- posed embank-ability above a ments. depth of 30 inches; porous substratum. Severe erodibility Rapid permeability of exposed em-of substratum; bankments. excessive seepage. Subject to frequent flooding. Rapid permeability __ Deep filL ___________ Rapid permeability __ Stoniness; deep cuts Rapid permeability and fills. of substratum; excessive seepage. _,.. Ppor drainage; high Many stones; high fwater table. water table. Bedrock below a Seepage likely depth of 20 to 30 through cracks in inches. bedrock. Seasonal high water Seasonal high water table. table; excessive seepage in sub- stratum. Erodibility of ex-Slow permeability posed embank-of substratum. ments; stones. Deep cuts and fills Shallowness over in places in hilly rapidly permeable topography. substratum. Clayey subsoil; Slow permeability cobblestones be-of clayey subsoil low a depth of 20 layer; shallowness I inches. to pervious material. I MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 57 Soil features affecting- Pond embankments; Agricultural drainage Irrigation Waterways dikes and levees Poor stability; pip-Not required ________ Medium water-Moderate erodi- ing; porous sub-holding capacity; bility. stratum. medium intake rate. Excessive seepage; Not required ________ Medium water-High erodibility. poor stability. holding capacity; medium intake rate. Porous rna teriaL ____ Not required ________ Not required ________ Not required. Porous materiaL ____ Not required ________ Not required ________ Not required. Excessive seepage ___ Not required ________ Low water-holding Shallowness or ex- capacity; shallow treme shallow- or very shallow. ness to gravelly substratum; vegetation diffi- cult to establish; low fertility. Stoniness; fair sta-Stoniness ___________ Not required ________ Not required. bility; moderate permeability. Poor stability of Not required ________ Hilly to steep slopes_ High erodibility. silty mantle; pip- ing; bedrock at a depth of 20 to 30 inches. Fair stability; pip-Seasonal high water Not needed _________ Not needed. ing; rapid permea-table. bility of substra- tum. Fair stability; slow Slow permeability Slow permeability __ ~ Stoniness; vegeta- permeability; fair of substratum; tion difficult to compaction. shallow ditches re-establish; deep quired for slight cuts expose depressions. clayey material; erodibility. Poor stability of Not required ________ Shallowness; medi-Moderate erodi- silty material; urn water-holding bility; shallow- piping; excessive capacity; medium ness to gravelly seepage through intake rate. substratum. gravelly substra- tum. Slow permeability Clayey subsoil; Medium water-Not required. of clayey subsoil shallow to gravel. holding capacity; layer; fair sta-slow intake rate of bility; seepage clayey material. through substra- .tum. 58 SOIL SURVEY TABLE 6.-Engineering interpretations Suitability as source of- Potential frost Soil series and map symbols I I action Topsoil Sand Gravel Road fill M ixed alluvial land ( M I) ________ Poor; variable Fair _____________ Fair; seasonal Fair_ ______ ------Low _____________ texture. high water table. oose River (M r) --------------Poor ___________ Poor; seasonal Poor; seasonal Fair ; diffi cui t to Medium to high ___ high water ta-high water excavate when M ble; sand inter-table. water table is bedded with high. thin silty lenses. ancy (NaA, NaB, NaC, NaD, Good __________ Unsuitable above Unsuitable above Poor above a High above a NaE). a depth of 20 a depth of 20 depth of 20 depth of 20 N inches; fair be-inches; good in inches; sub-inches; low in low; sandy substratum. stratum excel-substratum. strata inter-lent. bedded with gravelly ma- terial. N aptowne (NpA, NpB, NpC, Good __________ Poor; mixed with Fair; substratum Poor above a High above a NpD, NpE, NpF). gravel and contains ad-depth of 20 depth of 20 stones, also mixture of silt. inches; sub-inches; low in some silt. stratum good. substratum. iklason ( N s, Nv) ______________ Fair _______ -_ --Fair to poor; Good below a Poor in upper High to medium sandy subsoil depth of 15 to part; sub-in upper part; N contains silty 30 inches. stratum good low in sub- ../' lenses. to excellent. stratum . eedy (Re) ____________________ Fair_ __________ Poor; very fine sandy, silty, Unsuitable ________ Poor _____________ Medium to high __ and clayey materials. R ough mountainous land (Rm) ___ Poor ___________ Poor _____________ Unsuitable ________ Poor _____________ Low _____________ s alamatof (Sa, Sf) ______________ Unsuitable; Unsuitable ________ Unsuitable ________ Unsuitable ________ High _____________ raw, acid peat. chrock (ShA, ShB)_" ___________ Good __________ Poor; stratified silty and fine s Unsuitable above Poor; thick silty High _____________ a depth of 20 to overburden. sandy materials; 50 inches; sub- gravelly sub-stratum good. stratum. s ea cliffs (SI) __________________ Poor ___________ Poor _____________ Fair; contains Fair_ ____________ Medium __________ strata of fine material. likok (Sm, Sn) ________________ Good but diffi-Unsuitable ________ Unsuitable ________ Poor _____________ High _____________ cult to exca- s vate because of high water table. "1'.·.·.·· ~,, :::-~ :;,;;_. ~~. f of the soil properties-Continued. MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA 59 '}- J, li" Soil features affecting- Highway location Pond reservoirs Pond embankments; Agricultural drainage Irrigation Waterways ' dikes and levees Occasional flooding __ Seasonal high water Stoniness; rapid Not required ________ Not required ________ Not required. table; rapid permeability. permeability. Poor drainage _______ Fluctuating water Excessive seepage ___ Rapid permeability Not required ________ Not required. table; excessive of subsoil and seepage. substratum; ditches needed to control water table. Erodibility of em-Moderate permea-Poor stability of Not required ________ Medium water-Moderate erodi- bankments. bility above a silty material; holding capacity; bility. depth of 20 porous, gravelly medium intake inches; rapid substratum. rate; low fertility. permeability of substratum. ;,r Many cuts and fills Moderate perme-Poor stability of Not required ________ Medium water-Moderate erod- in hilly topog-ability of sub-upper layers of holding capacity; bility. raphy; many stratum. silty material; medium intake stones in sub-moderately porous rate; low fertility. stratum. substratum; stoniness. Flooding in places ___ Seepage in places ____ :Moderate perme-Not required _________ Medium water-Not required. ability of silty and very fine holding capacity. ./ sandy material; seepage. Cfayey substratum __ Moderate perme-Poor stability of Slowly permeable Medium water-Not required. ability above a upper layers; substratum. holding capacity; depth of 20 inches; clayey substratum medium intake slow permeability difficult to com-rate; clayey sub- of substratum. pact. strata. Exposed bedrock; deep cuts and fills. Exposed bedrock ____ Bedrock ____________ Not required ________ Not required ________ Not required. Very poor drainage Peat material Peat material Outlets generally Not required ________ Not required. of peat; water porous. porous. lacking; very low table always near fertility. surface. Erodibility of ex-Moderate perme-Poor stability of Not required ________ Medium water-Moderate erod- posed embank-ability above a silty material holding capacity; ibility. ments. depth of 20 to 50 when wet; ex-medium intake inches; rapid cessive seepage rate. permeability of through sub- substratum. stratum. Very steep slopes; Very steep slopes ____ Very steep slopes ____ Not required ________ Not required ________ Very steep slopes; high erodibility. high erodibility. Poor drainage; high High content of High content of Moderate permea-Not required ________ Not required. content of organic organic matter; organic matter; bility; drainage matter. stoniness in stoniness in ditches required places. places. to lower water table but not feasible in stony areas. '~ I \ ·:. ·:;; .. ' ' 60 SOIL SURVEY TABLE 6.-Engineering interpretations Suitability as source of- Potential frost Soil series and map symbols I I I action Topsoil Sand Gravel Road fill Spenard (SpA, SpB) ____________ Fair ___________ Unsuitable ________ Unsuitable ________ Poor _____________ High _____________ Susitna (Su, Sv, SwA) __________ Good __________ · Fair to poor; Good below a Poor in upper High to medium (For Niklason part of Sw A, sandy subsoil depth of 2% to part; substra-in upper part; see Niklason series.) contains silty 4 feet. tum good to low in substra- lenses. excellent. tum. Talkeetna (T a E) _______________ Fair ___________ Poor; mixed with Fair; contains . Good to fair_ _____ High _____________ silt and gravel. silty material. Terrace escarpments (Te) _______ Poor ___________ Fair _____________ Good ____________ Good to fair ______ Low _____________ Tidal flats (Tf) _________________ Poor_ __________ Poor _____________ Unsui~able ________ Unsuitable ________ High _____________ Tidal marsh (Tm) ______________ Fair to poor ____ Poor _____________ Unsuitable ________ Unsuitable ________ High _____________ Torpedo Lake (ToA, ToB, ToC, Fair; stony in Unsuitable ________ Unsuitable ________ Poor _____________ High _____________ ToD, TpB, TpC, TpD, TpE). places. (For Homestead part of T p B, TpC, TpD, and TpE, see Homestead series.) Wasilla (Wa) __________________ Good __________ Poor _____________ Poor _____________ Poor _____________ High _____________ ; TABLE 7.-Engineering [Tests performed by the Alaska Department of Highways under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau Moisture-density data 1 Soil name and location Parent materia Report No. Depth Horizon Maxi-Opti- mum mum dry mois- density ture Homeste.ad silt loam: Lb. per In. cu. ft. Pet. SE~NW~ sec. 5, T. 15 N., R. 4 w. Silty loess over loose sand and 64F1012 2 to 5 B22 ______ ----------------(modal) gravel. 64F1013 5 to 11 B3 _______ ---------------- 64F1014 11 to 20 nc ______ 139 7 SE;liSE;!i sec. 34, T. 18 N., R. 1 E. Silty loess over fine sand under-64F1023 2 to 12 B2L _____ 92 23 (nonmodal-sandy substratum) lain by very gravelly coarse 64F1024 17 to 20 B2b _____ 104 14 sand. 64F1025 23 to 30 IIC2 _____ 131 6 NE;liSW;!i sec. 26, T. 18 N., R. 3 w. Silty loess over coarse glacial 64F1026 2 to 5 B2L _____ 92 24 (nonmodal-gravelly sandy loam till till. 64F1027 5 to 10 B22 ______ 100 20 substratum) 64F1028 14 to 22 nc ______ 131 7 See footnotes at end of table. r" ~,· ' ~" t ~~· ~9f the soil properties-Continued j' " Highway location Pond reservoirs ~ f Impeded drainage; Slow permeability clayey subsoil and of subsoil and substratum; sea-substratum; sea- ' sonal high water sonal high water : table. table. "Flooding in places ___ Excessive seepage ___ Steepness of slopes __ Porous substratum; MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA 61 Soil features affecting- Pond embankments; Agricultural drainage I Irrigation I Waterways dikes and levees Good stability; slow permeability; fair Slow permeability; ditches needed to Not required ________ Clayey subsoil. compaction. lower water table. Moderate permea- bility of silty and Not required ________ very fine sandy Moderate water- holding capacity. Not required. material; seepage. Steep slopes ________ Not required ________ Not required ________ High erodibility; steep slopes. stony in places. Very steep slopes ____ Very steep slopes; Very steep slopes; Not required ________ Not required ________ High erodibility; porous material. porous material. very steep slopes. Frequent inundation Frequent inundation Poor stability _______ Too low for outlet Not required ________ Not required. by high tides. by high tides. ditches. :" Occasional flooding __ High water table ____ Fair stability; clayey material. Clayey substratum; occasional Not required ________ Not required. flooding. Poor drainage; High water table; Fair stability; slow Slow permeability ___ Not required ________ Stoniness; clayey clayey substra-slow permeability permeability of substratum. tum. of substrata. substratum. PooY"drainage; sea-Slow permeability Slow permeability Seasonal high water Not required ________ Not required. sonal high water of clayey subsoil of clayey layer. table; ditches table. layer; seepage needed to control .. f through sandy water table. layers. test data : of Public Roads; tests performed in accordance with standard procedures of the American Association of State Highway Officials (2)] Mechanical analysis 2 Classification ~ ~ Percentage passing sieve-Percentage smaller than-uid ,:1---,--,--,--------;---,----,,-----,-----,---,---l--.------:------.---l limit ( 3- in. 2- in. 1Y2- in. l- in. %:- in. No. %-4 in. (4.76 mm.) No. 10 (2.0 mm.) No. 40 (0.42 mm.) No. 200 (0.074 mm.) 0.05 0.02 0.005 0.002 mm. mm. mm. mm. Plas- ticity index AASHO Unified r ----------------------------------------------1-----:"------ ~· ====== -----------------ioo----97----96- t ------100 94 80. 69 52 39 r ~ 100 95 26 ~: --------------------------------- ------f: ---72-69 65 53 46 34 27 lgg J. " jf: ------100 ':. ------100 96 94 : 82 -----75 72 70 59 53 98 94 44 95 91 7 100 98 9 92 88 34 72 55 77 55 2 ------ 74 ------ 15 1 7 63 55 73 ------ 19 15 28 34 39 4 25 30 10 6 6 3 3 8 3 1 ------ 5 4 3 1 1 1 53 43 4 NV 37 NV NV 38 47 NV 3 NP NP NP NP NP NP 5 NP NP A-5(10) __ A-5(9) __ _ A-1-a(O)_ A-4(8) __ _ A-2--4(0)_ A-1-a(O)_ A-4(6) __ _ A-4(8) __ _ A-1-b(O)_ MH. ML. GW. ML. SM. GW. ML. ML. GM. 62 SOIL SURVEY TABLE 7.-Engineering Moisture-density data 1 Report Soil name and location Parent material No. Depth Horizon Maxi-Opti- mum mum dry mois- density ture Lb. per In. cu. ft. Pd. Knik silt loam: SE)4SW}~ sec. 29, T. 18 N., R. 1 E. (modal) __ Silty loess over loose gravelly 64F1029 0 to 4 A2 _______ 82 27 coarse sand. 64F1030 11 to 17 C2 _______ 107 17 64F1031 19 t.o 30 IIC4 _____ 112 11 SE)4SE)4 sec. 34, T. 18 N., R. 1 E. (non-Silty loess over medium sand 64F1032 1~ to 7 B ________ 97 21 modal-sandy substratum) underlain by gravelly coarse 64F1033 9 to 15 C2 _______ 100 18 sand. 64F1034 15 to 30 IIC3 _____ 107 13 SW)4SEX sec. 22, T. 18 N., R. 2 E. (non-Silty loess over gravelly loam. 64F1035 0 to 4 A2 _______ 78 30 modal-finer textured substratum) 64F1036 10 to 18 C2 _______ 94 23 64F1037 18 to 30 IIC3 _____ 130 8 Naptowne silt loam: 64F1009 NE)4SE;.~ sec. 26, T. 16 N., R. 4 W. (modal) __ Silty loess over moderately firm 5 to 10 B3 _______ ---------------- gravelly sandy loam till. 64F1010 10 to 15 CL ______ 114 12 64F1011 15 to 24 IIC2 _____ 135 8 SE)4NE)4 sec. 4, T. 15 N., R. 3 W. (non-Silty loess over very fine sandy 64F1017 3% to 8 B22 ______ 100 19 modal-sandy substratum) loam material underlain by 64F1018 12 to 19 CL ______ 108 14 moderately firm gravelly 64F1019 19 to 30 IIC2 _____ 138 7 sandy loam till. NW%,SW% sec. 30, T. 18 N., R. 2 W. (non-Silty loess over very gravelly 64F1020 1~j to 6 B2L _____ 91 22 J modal-shallower, coarser textured sub-sandy loam till. 64F1021 6 to 9 B22 ______ 106 19 stratum) 64F1022 12 to 22 IICL ____ 132 7 'spenard silt loam: 64F1015 SW;.~sE;.~ sec. 16, T. 18 N., R. 3 W. Silty loess or colluvium over 5 to 14 IIC1g ____ 106 17 (modal) firm, moderately fine tex-64F1016 14 to 31 IIC2g ____ 124 11 tured glacial till. NW;.mE;.~ sec. 20, T. 18 N., R. 3 W. Loamy colluvium over firm 64F1038 0 to 12 C1g ______ 102 18 (nonmodal-finer textured substratum) clay loam till. 64F1039 12 to 24 C2g ______ 118 13 NW~~SE;.i sec. 23, T. 18 N., R. 3 W. Silty loess or colluvium over 64F1040 0 to 4 C1g ______ 88 22 (nonmodal-coarser textured substratum) moderately firm sandy loam 64F1041 4 to 12 C2g ______ 123 11 till. 64F1042 22 to 30 C4 _______ 125 10 1 Based on AASHO Designation: T 180-57, Method D (2); dashes indicate horizon was not tested. 2 Mechanical analyses were made according to AASHO Designation: T 88-57 (2). Results by this procedure may differ somewhat ·from results that would have been obtained by the soil survey procedure of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). In the AASHO procedure, the fine material is analyzed by the hydrometer method and the various grain-size fractions are calculated on the basis of all the material, including that coarser than 2 millimeters in diameter. In the SCS soil survey procedure, the fine material is analyzed by the pipette method Erosion.-Although heavy showers are not common in the Area, sloping silty .soils of the uplands are subject to erosion after the vegetation is removed. Erosion generally can be controlled, however, by stripcropping, cultivating on the contour, and keeping waterways in sod. Terraces, dams, and similar structures generally are not needed unless steep slopes are cleared and farmed. Grass seeding is needed to control washing from highway cuts. Soil Test Data Profiles of soils in four extensive soil series were tested according to standard procedures un' as shown in table 7. Samples were chosen to indicate the range in physical properties of each series. For each series there are test data on three soil profiles. One profile represents the modal, or typical, characteristics of the soil series; the other two profiles are within the allowable range of var- iation for the series but differ from the modal profile in texture, consistence, or some other property significant in engineering. Moisture-density tests were made to determine the greatest density to which the soils could be compacted. If a soil is compacted at successively higher moisture content, assuming that the compactive effort remains constant, the density of the compacted material will I ~~ t' ~- t MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 63 f'test data-Continued l· }~ ~:· Mechanical analysis 2 Classification ( '" Liq-Plas- ' Percentage passing sieve-Percentage smaller than-uid ticity 1: limit index l; AASHO Unified No. No. No. No. ~ 3-2-1~-1-%:-%-4 10 40 200 0.05 0.02 0.005 0.002 in. in. in. in. in. in. (4.76 (2.0 (0.42 (0.074 mm. mm. mm. mm. mm.) mm.) mm.) mm.) .· ------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------100 92 60 37 7 4 44 1 A-5(9) ___ ML. ----------------------100 98 97 96 84 69 ------32 8 3 30 NP A-4(7) ___ ML. ----------------------100 94 90 86 53 4 2 1 0 0 NV NP A-3(0) ___ SP. ---------------------------------------------100 89 ------24 5 2 39 NP A-4(8) ___ ML. ; ---------------------- -----------------100 98 89 ------35 6 1 32 NP A-4(8) ___ ML. ----------------------100 99 99 98 59 3 1 1 0 0 NV NP A-3(0) ___ SP. ---------------------- ----- ------------ ------ 100 94 69 40 8 2 55 NP A-5(11) __ MH. ---------------------------------100 99 96 83 ------41 10 3 42 NP A-5(8) ___ ML. ------100 86 86 71 62 55 44 30 15 12 6 1 0 NV NP A-1-a(O)_ GM. ; ---------------------- ----- ------100 99 76 56 19 5 2 32 4 A-4(8) ___ ML. 100 99 96 63 40 13 4 1 22 3 A-4(6) ___ ML. :· ------100 94 87 80 72 62 50 32 43 20 10 3 16 NP A-2-4(0)_ SM. ---------------------- -----------100 99 97 58 46 22 5 3 31 NP A-4(5) ___ ML. •. ====== . -----------------100 80 50 11 2 0 25 NP A-4(8) ___ ML. 100 94 87 79 71 65 53 30 22 16 6 3 15 NP A-2-4(0)_ SM. .. ----------------------100 98 96 89 67 53 35 8 4 56 NP A-4(6) ___ MH. '· ____ ;:--: 100 91 91 84 79 72 53 24 20 10 3 1 45 NP A-2-4(0)_ SM. ------100 88 88 82 73 66 56 44 26 20 13 4 2 14 NP A-2-4(0)_ SM. i ; -----------100 94 93 88 84 80 73 54 49 30 12 6 33 3 A-4(3) ___ ML. ! -----------100 97 95 91 86 80 69 39 35 24 11 8 21 NP A-4(0) ___ SM. •• ----------------------100 93 90 88 83 57 47 32 9 2 39 NP A-4(4) ___ OLorML. ; -----------------100 97 95 93 91 84 64 ------43 25 17 29 5 A-4(6) ___ ML. ~· ====== 100 81 73 69 67 65 61 59 48 ------25 6 2 41 NP A-4(3) ___ GMorOL. -----100 97 94 91 83 54 47 36 18 13 26 1 A-4(4) ___ ML. k ------.:----------------100 99 98 96 87 36 30 21 12 8 19 NP A-4(0) ___ SM. ; f and the material coarser than 2 millimeters in diameter is excluded from calculations of grain-size fractions. The mechanical analysis data !.used in this table are not suitable for naming textural classes for soils. ;', a NP= Non plastic. !, 4 NV=No value. ,, •> r: E bncrease until the optimum moisture content is reached. ~After that, density decreases as moisture content increases. ~The highest density reached is referred to as "maximum ~.dry density," and the corresponding moisture content is ~the "optimum moisture content." Moisture-density rela- itionships are important in earthwork, for as a rule opti- "{mum stability of soil material is obtained if the material :is compacted to maximum dry density, and this is most ,;:easily done at the optimum moisture content. :~ Mechanical analyses were made to determine the per- ",centages of clay and coarser material in the soils. The :analyses were made by a combination of the sieve and hydrometer methods. Percentages of clay determined by '· 263-309-67-'-5 the hydrometer method should not be used in nammg soil textural classes. Liquid limit and plastic limit tests measure the effect of water on the consistence of soil material. As the moisture content of a clayey soil increases from a dry state, the material changes from a semisolid to a plastic state. As the moisture content further increase, the material changes from a plastic to a liquid state. The plastic limit is the moisture content at which the soil passes from a semi- solid to a plastic state. The liquid limit is the moisture content at which the material passes from a plastic to a liquid state. The plasticity index is the numerical differ- ence between the liquid limit and the plastic limit. It 64 SOIL SURVEY indicates the range of moisture content within which a soil material is in a plastic condition. Formation and Classification of the Soils Soils are natural, three-dimensional bodies on the earth's surface that contain living matter and support plants or are capable of supporting plants (15). Factors of Soil Formation Five major factors influence the formation of s~il (6). They are climate, living organisms, parent mat~n~l, to- pography, and time. The nature and cha~acte:r:Istlcs of any given soil are dependent upon the combmed Influence of these factors, plus the effects of man. Climate, apart from its direct influence o~ soil pr?~er ties also determines to a large extent the kmd of hvmg org~nisms in a particul?-r.area. Living. organisms, i:J?-t~rn, influence the characteristics of the soil. Local vanatwns in relief affect the nature and intensity of soil formation. For example, in low-lying ~reas a pe~manent ~igh wa~r table· may cause the forma~wn of a differe~t ~md of sOil than is formed in well-dramed uplands withm the sa:J?-le general region. The composition of the parent mat~rml determines the kind of soil that can be formed. Time, alono-with the other factors, determines the extent to whicili parent materia~ is ?lodified. T~1e length of time a soil has been developmg IS reflected m the depth of the sOil and in differences in the layers of the profile. f'arent material Most soils on uplands of the Matanuska Valley Area formed in silty wind-laid material, or ~oess, tha:t ha~ been deposited over gravelly terrace material, glacial till, or bedrock. This loessal deposit ranges from more than 60 inches in thickness to less than 10 inches. It is thicker near the Matanuska and Knik Rivers and thinner in the west- ern part of the Are~ and at. higher elevations. The under- lying terrace matenal consists mostly of rounded gravel and coarse sand. Generally, the glacial till is gravelly but contains a somewhat higher proportion of fine-grained material than the terrace deposits. Other soils formed in sandy material along Knik Arm and the major rivers, in shale and sandstone sediments near Houston, and in stratified sandy and silty material on alluvial plains and on some stre~m terrac~s. On flood plains of the smaller strea!ns and ~n depressiOns on the uplands, the soils formed m ma~enal ~ashed from sur- rounding slopes. Most of these soils are silty, but some are sandy. : Peat soils that formed mostly from remams of mosses, sedges, and other low-growing plants fill mal?-y depres- sions and also occur on a few steep, north-facmg slopes. The peat bogs, or muskegs, range from less than an acre in size to several square miles. Climate The Matanuska Valley Area is chara,cterized by cool summers and moderately cold winters. The annual rainfall is only about 16 inches, but since the rates of evaporation · and of transpiration are low, much of the rainfall per- colates through the soil and is effective in leaching. This action results in acid soils that are low in the major nutrient elements. Living organisms In this climate, the well-drained soils of the uplands generally support a forest in which white spruce, paper birch and quaking aspen are dominant. The somewhat poorly drained and poorly drained soils commonly have a forest cover of black spruce and willow. Black spruce also grows in many of the muskegs, but in large tracts of muskeg, there is only a dense mat of low-growing shrubs. Sedges are dominant on tidal soils. A more detailed description of the vegetation of the Area is given in the section "General Nature of the Area." Relief On these comparatively young soils, the effect of relief and topographic position is not so great as on older soi~s. Thickness of the loess, for example, is related more to dis- tance from the river flood plains than to steepness of slope, and soil development is about as far advanced on the steep uplands as on the level or gently sloping up- lands. Most depressions and low areas, however, are not well drained, and the soils in them ordinarily exhibit characteristics associated with wet conditions. Time All of the soils developed in the relatively short time since the recession of the ice sheet that covered the Mata- nuska Valley Area. Loess is still being deposited over parts of the Area, and soils there show only weak horizon differentiation. In most of the Area, profile development is not so far advanced as in other parts of the Cook Inlet- Susitna Lowland. Classification of the Soils Soils are classified so that we may more easily identify their significant characteristics. Classification enables us to assemble knowledge about soils, to see their relation- ships to one another and to the whole environment, and to understand their behavior and their response to use. Thus, through classification, and then through the use of soil maps, we can apply our knowledge of soils to spe- cific tracts of land. In the system of soil classification adopted for use by the National Cooperative Soil Survey in 1965 (15), soils are placed in six categories. Beginning with the highest, these are the order, suborder, gTeat group, subgroup, fam- ily, and series. The soil series are classified in table 8 by order, subgroup, and family. Soil families in the Mata- nuska Y alley Area are separated on the basis of texture and, in the case of those in the Entisol order, degree of acidity. Table 8 also shows great soil group and order for the soil series according to the system of classification used before 1965 ( 14). In that system and its later modification (113), soils were also placed in six categories-order, sub- order, great soil group, family, series, and type. That MATANUSKA VALLE.Y AREA, ALASKA 65 TABLE B.-Classification of soil series according to the current and the 1938 systems of classification Current classification 1938 classification Series Family I Subgroup Order Great soil group Order Anchorage _____ Sandy, mixed ___________________ En tic Cryorthod ____________ SpodosoL __ Podzol _____________ Zonal. Bodenburg _____ Coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-Typic Cryorthent ___________ EntisoL ____ Regosol ____________ Azonal. skeletal, mixed, nonacid. EntisoL ___ -Chena _____ .: ___ Sandy-skeletal, mixed, nonacid ____ Typic Cryopsamment_ _______ Regosol ____________ Azonal. Clunie _________ ------------------------------------------------------------Histosoll ___ Bog ________________ Intrazonal. Coal Creek _____ Coarse-silty, mixed, nonacid ______ Humic Cryaquept ___________ InceptisoL __ Humic Gley ________ Intrazonal. Doone _________ Coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-~ypic Cryorthent ___________ EntisoL ____ Regosol ____________ Azonal. skeletal, mixed, acid. SpodosoL __ Flat Horn ______ Coarse-loamy, mixed _____________ Typic Cryort,hod ____________ Podzol _____________ Zonal. Homestead _____ Loamy-skeletal, mixed ________ ~ __ Typic Cryorthod ____________ Spodosol ___ Podzol _____________ Zonal. Jacobsen _______ Loamy-skeletal, mixed, acid ______ Histic Cryaquept ____________ InceptisoL __ Humic Gley ________ Intrazonal. Jim ___________ Coarse-silty, mixed, nonacid ______ Typic Cryorthent_ __________ EntisoL ____ Regosol ____________ Azonal. Kalifonsky _____ Coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-Typic Cryaquept ____________ InceptisoL __ Low-Humic Gley ____ Intrazonal. skeletal, mixed, acid. Typic Cryorthod ____________ SpodosoL __ Kenai_ ________ Coarse-silty, mixed_-------------Podzol _____________ Zonal. Knik __________ Coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-Typic Cryorthent ___________ EntisoL ____ Regosol ____________ A zonal. skeletal, mixed, acid. EntisoL ____ Matanuska _____ Fine-silty over sandy or sandy-. Typic Cryorthent ___________ RegosoL ___________ Azonal. s.reletal, mixed, nonacid. EntisoL ____ Moose River ___ Sandy, mixed, nonacid ___________ Typic Cryaquent ____________ Low-Humic Gley ____ Intrazonal. Nancy _________ Coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-Typic Cryorthod ____________ SpodosoL __ Podzol _____________ Zonal. skeletal, mixed. Naptowne _____ Coarse-loamy, mixed _____________ Typic Cryorthod ____________ Spodosol .. __ PodzoL ____________ Zonal. Niklason _______ Coarse-loamy over sandy or Typic Cryofluvent ___________ EntisoL ____ AlluviaL ___________ A zonal. sandy-skeletai, mixed, nonacid. Reedy _________ Fine-silty, mixed, nonacid ________ Typic Cryaquept ____________ InceptisoL __ AlluviaL ___________ Azonal. Salamatof ______ ------------------------------------------------------------Histosoll ___ Bog ________________ Intrazonal. Schrock~-------Coarse-loamy, mixed _____________ Typic Cryorthod ____________ SpodosoL __ Brown Podzolic _____ Zonal. Slikok _________ Coarse-silty, mixed, acid _____ '!! ___ His tic Cryaquept ____________ InceptisoL_ Humic Gley ________ Intrazonal. Spenard _______ Fine-loamy, mixed, acid __________ Humic Cryaquept ___________ InceptisoL __ Low-Humic Gley ____ Intrazonal. Susitna ________ Coarse-loamy, mixed, nonacid _____ Typic Cryofluvent ___________ EntisoL ____ AlluviaL ___________ Azonal. Talkeetna ______ Loamy-skeletal, mixed ___ ~ _______ Cryic Humic Fragiorthod _____ SpodosoL __ PodzoL ______ ----Zonal. Torpeiio Lake __ Fine-loamy, mixed, acid __________ Histic Cryaquept ____________ InceptisoL __ Humic Gley ________ Intrazonal. Wasilla ________ Fine-loamy, mixed, acid __________ Typic Cryaquept ____________ InceptisoL __ Low-Humic Gley ____ Intrazonal. I The classification of Histosols below the order has not yet been established. F ~ (system was replaced because it was incomplete and did ~.not sufficiently emphasize characteristics of the soil in ~determining its classification. ~--Following are brief definitions of the orders and sub- ~groups in the current classification, as represented in the ~~ Matanuska Valley Area. lnceptisols Inceptisols are soils in which there has been mod- ification of the parent material in place. In the Mata- nuska Valley Area, the only Inceptisols that are recognized are soils that developed under cold, wet con- ditions. These soils, the Cryaquepts, are characterized by gray, olive, or greenish colors with brown or reddish- brown mottles and streaks. In Typic Oryaquepts, no clark upper horizon has developed, and no thick mat of moss has accumulated on the surface. Humic Gryaquepts have a thick, dark-colored surface horizon. Histic Gryaq1wpts have a fairly thick deposit of peat or muck on the surface. ~-;Entisols ~ Entisols have few, if any, clearly expressed character- r;,istics. In the Matanuska Valley Area, Entisols occur in i_ material recently deposited by wind or water. They are ~represented by the Typic Gryaq1wnts, which are poorly 1)}-dra~ned, by the Typic Gryops.amments, ':"hich are well ~·dramed and coarse textured, by the Typw Oryorthents, . "which are well drained and medium textured or fine tex- ;.tured, and by the Typic Oryofl;uvents, which are well ;drained and consist of stratified, moderately coarse tex- ~tured and finer textured materials. Histosols ~ Histosols are composed primarily of organic material. cThe classification of these soils in categories below the ,9rder has not yet been established. Spodosols These are soils in which leaching ( eluviation) has caused an accumulation of organic carbon, together with iron and aluminum, in an illuvial horizon of the profile. This horizon generally is dark brown or reddish brown. Above the illuvial horizon, a gray eluvial layer also com- monly occurs at the surface of the mineral soil, but it may not occur in young Spodosols. Between the main illuvial horizon and the unaltered parent material, there is a transitional horizon. As a rule, the entire solum is ) , - ,;; 66 SOIL SURVEY less than 16 inches thick. During the process o£ £ormation, most basic cations are replaced by hydrogen ions. As a result the solum is strongly acid. The Spodosols in the Matanuska Valley Area are com- paratively young and formed under only moderate pre- cipitation. Because o£ this, and because the parent material o£ most o£ the soils is silty rather than sandy, the Spoclosols in this Area are not so highly developed as those in southeastern Alaska or those in parts o£ the northeastern United States. The illuvial horizons are not so clark as in some o£ those soils, and they do not normally contain concretions o£ iron oxide. . Typic Oryorthods are well-drained Spoclosols that occur in cold regions and have a moderate amount o£ organic matter in the illuvial horizon. Entic Oryortlwds are like the Typic, except that they contain less than 2 percent organic matter in the uppermost 4 inches o£ the illuvial horizon. Oryic Humic Fragiorthods are well-drained Spodosols that occur in cold regions, have a large amount o£ organic matter in the illuvial horizon, and have a firm substratum. Literature Cited (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) ALASKA. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1958. RECOMMENDED VARIETIES OF FIELD CROPS FOR ALASKA. Alaska U. Extens. Cir. 14, rev., 11 pp. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE HIGHWAY OFFICIALS. 1961. STAKDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR HIGHWAY MATERIALS AND METHODS OF SA1fPLING AND TESTING. Ed. 8, 2 parts, ill us. HANSON, HERBERT C. 1951. CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME GRASSL.ci.ND, MARSH, AND OTHER PLANT C01IMUNITIES IN WESTERN ALASKA. Ecological Monographs 21: 317-378. JoHNSON, HUGH A., AND STANTON, KEITH L. 1955. l\IATANUSKA VALLEY 1\IEMOIR. U. of Alaska, Alaska Agr. Exp. Sta., Palmer, Alaska. Bul. 18, 118 pp., ill us. KARLSTROJ\1, THORN. Y. 1953. UPPER COOK INLET REGION, ALASKA.. U.S. Geol. Sur. Cir. 289, pp. 3-5. KET~LOGG, CHARLES E., AND NYGARD, lVER J. 1951. EXPT~ORATORY STUDY OF THE PRINCIPAL SOIL GROUPS OF ALASKA. U.S. Dept. of Agr. Monograph No. 7, 138 pp., illus. LAUGHLIN, W. Jlf., TAYLOR, R. L., KLEBESADEL, L. J., AND OTHERS. 1964. GENERAL RECO]\{)\fENDATIONS-FERTILIZERS FOR ALASKA.. Alaska Agr. Exp. Sta. Cir. No. 13, rev. LUTZ,H.J. 1956. ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF FOREST FIRES IN THE INTERIOR OF ALASKA. U.S. Dept. of Agr. Tech. Bul. No. 1133, 121 pp., ill us. PowNALL,P. 1964. ALASKA. FARM PRODUCTION-1963. Sta. Report. Serv., Alaska Coop. Crop and Livestock Report. Serv., Palmer, Alaska, 10 pp. RHODE, C. J., AND BARKER, W. 1953. ALASKA'S FISH AND WILDLIFE. Fish and Wildlife Serv. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Cir. 17, 60 pp., illus. RIEGER, SAMUEL, AND JUVE, ROBERT L. 1961. SOIL Dl):VELOPJ\fENT IN RECENT LOESS IN THE MATANUSKA. vALI.EY, ALASKA. Soil Sci. of Amer. Proc. v. 25: 243-248. THORP, JAl\fES, AND SMITH, GUY D. 1949. HIGHER CATEGORIES OF SOIL CLASSIFICATION: ORDER, SUBORDER, AND GREAT SOIL GROUPS. Soil 1Sci. 67; 117-126. TRAINER, FRANK W. 1961. EOLIAN DEPOSITS OF THE l\IATANUSKA. VALLEY AGRICUL- TURAL AREA, ALASKA.. U.S. Geol. Sur. Bul. No. 1121--C, 35 prp., ill us. (14) UNITED STATES DEPARTJ~,IENT OF AGRICULTURE. (15) 1938. SOILS AND MEN. U.S. Dept. Of Agr. Ybk. 1938, 1232 pp., ill us. 1960. SOIL CLASSIFICATION, A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM, 7TH APPROXIMATION. 265 pp., Hlus. [Supplement is- sued March, 1967] U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. . (16) WATERWAYS EXPERil\fENT STATION, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. 1953. THE UNIFIED SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEJ\L Corps Of Eng., U.S. Army Tech. Memo. No. 3-357, v. 1, 30 pp. and charts. Vicksburg, Miss. Glossary Acidity. See Reaction, soil. Clay. As a 'SOil separate, the mineral soil particles less than 0.002 millimeter in diameter. As a soil textural class, soil material that is 40 percent or more clay, less than 45· percent sand, and less than 40 percent silt. Consistence, soil. The feel of the 'soil and the ease with which a lump can be crushed by the fingers. Terms commonly used to describe consistence are-- Loose.-Noncoherent; will not hold together in a mass. Friable.-When moist, crushes easily under gentle to moderate pressure between thumb and forefinger and can be pressed together into a lump. Finn.-When moist, crushes under moderate pressure between thumb and forefinger, but resistance is distinctly noticeable. Plastio.-When wet, readily deformed by moderate pressure but can be pressed into a lump ; will form a wire when rolled between thumb and forefinger. Sticky.-When wet, adheres to other material; tends to stretch somewhat and pull apart, rather than pull free from other rna terial. ,, Hard.-When dry, moderately resistant to pressure; can be broken with difficulty between thumb and forefinger. Soft.-vYhen dry, breaks into powder or individual grains under very slight pressure. Cemented.-Hard and brittle; little affected by moistening. Drainage, soil. The relative rapidity and extent of removal of water, under natural conditions, from the surface and within the soil. Terms commonly used to describe drainage are as follows: Very poorly drained.-Water is removed so slowly that 'the soil remains wet most of the time, and water ponds on the surface frequently. The water table is at the surface most of the time. Poorly a1·ained.-Water is removed so slowly tha:t the soil remains wet for much of the time. The water table is at or near the surface during a considerable part of the year. Somewhat poorly drained.-Water is removed so slowly that the soil is wet for significant periods but not all the time. :Moderately well drained.-Water is removed somewhat slowly, and the soil is wet for a small but significant part of the time. Well drained.-Water is removed readily but not rapidly. Somewhat excessively drained.-Water is removed so rapidly that only a small part is available to plants. ·Only a narrow range of crops can be grown, and yields are usually low unless the soil is irrigated. Excessively drained.-Water is removed very rapidly. Enough precipitation commonly is lost to make the soil unsuitable for ordinary crops. Eluviation. The movement of material from one place to another within the soil, in either true solution or colloidal suspension. Soil horizons that have lost ma-terial through eluviation are said to be eluvial; those that have received material are ill uvial. Horizon, soil. A layer of soil, approximately parallel to the surface, that has distinct characteristics produced by soil-forming processes and that differs in one or more ways from adjacent horizons in the same profile. Loam. A textural class that includes soil that is 7 to 20 percent clay, 28 to 50 percent silt, and less than 52 percent sand. The word "loam" is also used as part of other textural class names; for example, silt loam, a class name that indicates textural properties between those of loam and those of silt. Moisture-supplying capacity, or available moisture capacity. The capacity of a soil to hold water in a form available to plants. MATANUSK..I\. VALLEY AREA, ALASKA 67 The amount of moisture held in soil between field capacity, or about one-third atmosphere of tension, and the wilting coeffi- cient, or about 15 atmospheres of tenSiion. ··Mottled. Irregularly marked with spots of different colo'l'S that vary in number and size. Mottling in soils usually indicates poor aeration and lack of drainage. Descriptive terms are as follows : Abundance-few, common, and many; size--fine, medium, and coarse; and contrast-faint, distinct, and promi- nent. The size measurements are these: fine, less than 5 milli- meters (about 0.2 inch) in diameter along the greatest dimen- sion ; medium, ranging from 5 millimeters to 15 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.6 inch) in diameter along the greatest dimen- sion; and coarse, more than 15 millimeters (about 0.6 inch) in diameter along the greatest dimension. Native vegetation. The vegetation under which the soil formed. Nurse crop. A. companion crop grown to protect some other crop sown with it, as small grain is sometimes seeded with clover. Permeability, soil. The quality of a soil that enables water or air to move through it. Terms used to describe permeability are as follows: Very slow, slow, moderately slow, nwde'rate, mod- erately rapid, rapid, and very rapid. pH. See Reaction, soil. Reaction, soil. The degree of acidity or alkalinity of a soil ex- pressed in pH values. A. soil that tests to pH 7.0 is precisely neutral in reaction, because it is neither acid nor alkaline. Degrees of acidity or alkalinity are expressed as follows : pH Extremely acid ---------------------------------Below 4.5 Very strongly acid ------------------------------4.5 to 5.0 Strongly acid -----------------------------------5.1 to 5.5 Medium acid ------------------------------------5.6 to 6.0 Slightly acid ------------------------------------6.1 to 6.5 Neutral-----------------------------------------6.6 to 7.3 Mildly alkaline ----------------------------------7.4 to 7.8 Moderately alkaline -----------------------------7.9 to 8.4 Strongly alkaline --------------------------------8.5 to 9.0 Very strongly alkaline --------------------------9.1 and higher Sand. A.s a soil separate, individual rock or mineral fragments -1·anging from 0.05 millimeter to 2.0 millimeters in diameter. Most sand grains consist of quartz, but ·sand may be of any . mineral composition. A.s a textural class, any soil that contains t 85 percent or more sand and not more than 10 percent clay; 0 Silt. A.s a soil separate, individual mineral particles that range in .diameter from the upper limit of clay (0.002 millimeter) to the lower limit of very fine sand (0.05 millimeter). A.s a textural class, soil that is 80 percent or more silt and less than 12 per- . cent clay. Solum, soil. The upper part of a soil profile, above the parent ma- terial, in which the processes of soil formation are active. The solum in mature soil includes the A. and B horizons. Generally, the characteristics of the material in these.horizons are unlike those of the underlying parent material. The living roots and other plant and animal life characteristic of the soil are largely confined to the solum. Structure, soil. The arrangement of primary soil particles into compound particles or clusters that are separated from adjoin- ing aggregates and have properties unlike those of an equal mass of unaggrega:ted primary soil particles. The principal forms of soil structure are platy (laminated), prismatic (verti- cai axis of aggregates longer than horizontal), columnar (prisms with rounded tops), blocky (angular or subangular), and granular. Structureless soils are (1) single grain (each grain by itself, as in dune sand) or (2) massive (the particles adhering together without any regular cleavage, as in many claypans and hardpans). Subsoil. Technically, the B horizon; roughly, the part of the profile below plow depth. Substratum. Any layer beneath the solum or true 'soil; the 0 or R horizon. Surf.ace layer. A. term used in nontechnical soil descriptions for one or more layers above the subsoil. It includes the .A. horizon and part of the B horizon ; has no depth limit. Texture, soil. The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay par- ticles in a mass of soil. (See also Clay, Sand, and 'Silt.) The <basic textural classes, in order of increasing proportions of fine particles, are as follows : sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, loam, silt loam, silt, sandy clay loarrn., clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay, silty clay, and clay. The sand., loamy sand, and sandy loam classes may be further divided into coarse, fine, or very fine. Tilth, soil. The condition of the soil, especially the structure, in relation to the growth of plants. Good tilth refers to the friable state and is associated with high noncapillary porosity and stable, granular structure. A. soil in poor tilth is nonfriable, hard, nonaggregated, and difficult to till. • • ' • g ~ c 0 GUIDE TO MAPP I NG UNIT S [For a full description of a mapping unit, read both the description of the mapping unit and the descrip tion of the soil series to which the map p ing unit be l ongs . [See table 3, page 13, for approximate acreage and proportionate extent of soils; tabl e 4 , page 37 , for e stima te d yie l ds; tables 5, 6, and 7 , p ag e s 50 , 54, and 60, for engineering properties of soil s ] Described on page Management group Described Ma nagement gr oup Map symbol Ma pping unit AcC Ancho rage sand , undulatin g to rolling---------------------------------15 AcE Anchorage sand, h illy to steep----------------------------------------15 AhA Anc horage silt l oam , nea rly level·------------------------------------15 AnB Anchorage very f i n e sandy l oam, undulating ----------------------------16 AnC Anchorage very fine s a ndy l oam, rol l ing-------------------------------16 AnD Anchorage very f i ne s andy loam, h i lly---------------------------------16 AnE Anchorage very fine sandy loam, moderately steep----------------------16 BbA Bodenburg silt loam, n ear ly l eve l-------------------------------------16 BbB Bodenburg silt l oam , undula t ing---------------------------------------1 6 BbC Bodenburg silt loam, rolling------------------------------------------1 6 BbD Bodenburg silt loam, h i l l y--------------------------------------------17 BdA Bodenburg very fine sandy loam, near ly l evel --------------------------17 BdB Bodenburg very fine sandy l oam , undulating----------------------------17 BdC Bodenburg very fine s andy loam, rolling-------------------------------17 BdD Bodenburg very fine sandy l oa m, hil ly---------------------------------17 BdE Bodenburg very fine s andy loam, modera t ely stee p----------------------17 BkF Bodenburg and Knik silt learns, s teep----------------------------------18 Cl Clunie peat-----------------------------------------------------------18 Co Coal Creek silt l oam·-------------------------------------------------19 Cs Coal Creek stony sil t loam--------------------------------------------19 Ct Chena silt loam-------------------------------------------------------18 DeA Do one silt loam, nearly l eve l -----------------------------------------19 DeB Doone silt loam, undulating -------------------------------------------19 DeC Doone silt loam, roll ing----------------------------------------------20 DkD Doone and Knik silt loams, hilly--------------------------------------20 DkE Doone and Knik silt loams, moderately steep---------------------------20 DkF Doone and Knik silt loams, steep--------------------------------------20 FhA Flat Horn silt loam, nearly level-------------------------------------20 FhB Flat Horn silt l oam, un dulating---------------------------------------20 FhC Flat Horn silt loam, r olling------------------------------------------20 FhE Flat Horn silt loam, hilly to steep-----------------------------------20 Ga Gravelly alluvial land------------------------------------------------21 Gp Gravel pits and Strip mines (not in a management group)---------------21 HoA Homestead silt loam, nearly level-------------------------------------21 HoB Homestead silt loam, undulat ing---------------------------------------21 HoC Homestead silt loam, rolling------------------------------------------22 HoD Homestead silt loam, hilly--------------------------------------------22 HoE Homestead silt loa m, moderately steep---------------------------------22 HoF Homestead silt loam, steep--------------------------------------------22 HsA Homestead silt loam, very shallow, nearly level -----------------------22 HsB Homestead silt loam, very shallow, undulating-------------------------22 HsC Homeste ad silt loam, very shallow, rolling----------------------------22 HsD Homestead silt loam, very shallow, hilly------------------------------~2 HsE Homestead silt loam, very shallow, moderately steep-------------------23 HsF Homestead silt loam, very shallow, steep------------------------------23 JaA Jacobsen very stony silt loam, nearly level---------------------------23 JaB Jacobsen very stony silt loam, gently sloping-------------------------23 JbD Jim and Bodenburg silt loams , hilly-----------------------------------23 JbF Jim and Bodenburg silt loams, steep-----------------------------------23 KaA Kalifonsky silt loam, nearly level ------------------------------------24 KaC Kalifonsky silt loam, gently to moderately sloping--------------------24 Number Page 16 30 16 16 16 23 30 2 4 6 13 1 3 5 1 3 20 28 ~ 18 32 22 2 4 6 13 20 28 1 3 5 20 36 8 7 7 14 20 28 15 15 15 21 21 29 32 32 13 28 11 11 44 45 44 44 44 45 4 5 41 42 42 43 41 42 42 43 44 45 46 44 46 44 41 42 42 43 44 45 41 42 42 44 46 43 42 42 43 44 45 44 44 44 44 44 45 46 46 43 45 43 43 Map symbo l Mapp i ng unit on page KaE Ka lifonsky s ilt l oam, str ongly s l oping to stee p------------------------24 Ke B Kenai silt l oam, undulating --------------------------------------------25 KnA Kn i k sil t loam, n~arly level-------------------------------------------25 KnB Knik s il t l oam , undulating ---------------------------------------------25 KnC Knik silt l oa m, r olling------------------------------------------------26 KnD Knik s ilt loam, hilly--------------------------------------------------26 KnE Knik silt loam, mode r atel y steep---------------------------------------26 KnF Knik silt loam , s t eep--------------------------------------------------26 Ma Matanuska silt l oam----------------------------------------------------26 Ml Mixed alluvial land ----------------------------------------------------26 Mr Moose Ri ve r sil t loam--------------------------------------------------27 NaA Nancy s i lt loam , near ly level ------------------------------------------27 NaB Na n cy silt loa m, undul ating--------------------------------------------27 NaC Nancy silt loam, r ol ling -----------------------------------------------27 NaD Nancy s i l t l oam, hilly·------------------------------------------------27 NaE Nancy silt loa m, moderately steep--------------------------------------28 NpA Na ptow ne sil t l oam , nearly level---------------------------------------28 NpB Nap t owne silt l oam, undulating -----------------------------------------28 NpC Nap t owne s ilt l oam, rol l ing--------------------------------------------28 NpD Nap t owne silt loam, hilly----------------------------------------------28 NpE Na p towne silt loam, moderately steep-----------------------------------28 NpF Naptowne sil t loam, s t eep----------------------------------------------29 Ns Niklason s i lt l oam-----------------------------------------------------29 Nv Niklason ver y fine sand·-----------------------------------------------29 Re Reedy silt loam--------------------------------------------------------29 Rm Rough mounta i nous land-------------------------------------------------30 Sa Salamatof pea t---------------------------------------------------------30 Sf Salama t of peat, ever frozen variant------------------------------------30 ShA Schr ock silt l oam, nearly level ----------------------------------------30 ShB Schrock s i lt l oa m, undulating------------------------------------------31 Sl Sea ~liffs -------------------------------------------------------------31 Sm Slikok mucky sil t loam-------------------------------------------------31 Sn Slikok stony mucky silt loam-------------------------------------------31 SpA Spe na r d silt l oam, nearly leve l ----------------------------------------32 SpB Spenar d silt loam, gent ly sloping--------------------------------------32 Su Susitna sil t loam------------------------------------------------------32 Sv Susitna ver y f i ne sand-------------------------------------------------32 SwA Susit na and Nikl ason very fine sands, overflow, 0 to 3 percent slopes--32 TaE Talkeetna sil t loam, moderately steep to steep-------------------------33 Te Terrace escarpments----------------------------------------------------33 Tf Tidal f l a t s ------------------------------------------------------------33 Tm Tidal ma rsh------------------------------------------------------------33 TaA Torpedo Lake silt loam, nearly level -----------------------------------33 ToB Torpedo Lake silt loam, gently sloping ---------------------------------~ ToC Torpedo Lake silt loam, moderately sloping-----------------------------~ TeD Torpedo Lake silt loam, strongly sloping-------------------------------~ TpB Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt learns, undulating--------------------------~ TpC Torpedo La ke -Homestead silt learns, rolling-----------------------------~ TpD Torpedo Lake -Homes t ead silt learns, hilly-------------------------------~ TpE Torpedo Lake -Homestead silt loams, moderately steep --------------------~ Wa Was i l l a silt l oa m------------------------------------------------------35 Number 31 15 8 7 7 14 20 28 10 33 27 2 4 6 1 3 20 2 4 6 13 20 28 9 9 10 35 ~ 34 1 3 35 18 32 17 17 1 1 19 28 35 36 24 25 25 25 25 26 26 26 26 12 Page 45 44 43 42 42 43 44 45 43 46 45 41 42 42 43 44 41 42 42 43 44 45 43 43 43 46 46 46 41 42 46 44 46 44 44 41 41 44 45 46 46 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 43 T. 15 N. N T. 14 N . T. 13 N. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRIC U LTURE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE A LA SKA A GRICULTURA L EXPERIMENT STATI ON GENERAL SOIL MAP MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA [2] -- SCALE I N M I LES 0 1 2 3 4 5 l d• I I I I I SOIL ASSOCIATIO NS Bodenburg assoc iation: Gra y, we l l -d rained, silty or very f i ne sandy up land so i ls that are deep over sa nd and gravel Doo ne-Knik association : B r own t o gray i sh-brow n, we l l- d rained , silty upl and so il s t hat a re deep t o shal low over sand a nd grave l Ho mest ead associatio n : Brown, we ll -drai ned, silty up l and so il s that are shallow over sand and gravel Homestead -Knik associ at ion : Brown to gr ay ish-brown, we l l - drai ned, si lty u pland so il s that ar e shallow over g ra vel an d sand Homestea d-J acobse n associat io n: B r own, we ll -drained, silty upl and soils t ha t are shallow or very sha ll ow over gr ave l and sa nd; and dark-gr ay, very poorly dra i ned stony so i ls i n depress ions Homeste ad -N ancy associat io n: Br ow n to reddish -brown, we ll -drained, silty up l and so ils that a re shallow or moderat ely dee p ove r gr avel and sa nd Knik-Coa l Cree k associa tion : Grayis h-brown, we ll -d rai ned , silty up l and soils that are sha llow over sand and g rave l; and dark-gr ay, poorly drained so il s i n dep r ess ions Naptowne-Spe na rd assoc iat i on: Brown and dark-g ray, well- dra ined and somew hat poorly dra ined, s il t y upland soils that are mod erately deep to very sha ll ow over glaci al t ill - Sa lamatof -Jacobse n ass ocia t i on: Ve ry poorly dra i ned, deep pea t so il s; and stony, very poorly drained so il s on f lood pl ai ns Torpe do Lak e-Homest ead assoc i at ion: Dark-co l ored, poorly -d rai ned soils al ong drai nage;,.,.ays; and brown, we ll -dra ined, silty so il s t hat are shall ow or ve ry sha ll ow over sand and gravel Tida l Marsh-Ciun ie associat i on : Gray, poo rly dra ined - so i ls i n sed i ments on t i da l pla i ns; and very poor ly dra i ned pea t so il s th at are shallo w or moderat ely deep over t i da l silt a nd clay Susit na-Nikl as on associat io n: Da rk-gra y, well-dra i ned, silty or f i ne sa ndy so il s th at are shallow or mode rate ly deep ove r coarse r sedi ments on all uvi al pl ai ns June 1967 T mr.'I"'':T m If' A nT , • MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SCALE IN MILES 0 1 2 3 4 5 I d.! I I I sh eet 43 N U. S. DEPART MENT OF AG RICULTURE SOIL CON SERVATION SERVI CE SYMBOL AcC AcE AhA AnB AnC AnD AnE BbA BbB BbC BbD BdA BdB BdC BdD BdE BkF Cl Co Cs Ct De A DeB DeC DkD DkE DkF FhA FhB FhC FhE Go Gp HoA HoB HoC HoD HoE HaF HsA HsB HsC HsD HsE HsF JaA JaB JbD JbF KaA KaC KaE KeB KnA KnB KnC KnD KnE KnF Ma Ml Mr SOIL LE GEN D The first capitol letter is the initial one of the soi l nome. A second capitol letter, A, B, C, D, E, or F, shows the slope, Most symbols without a slope lett er ore those of nearly level soils or land types, but some are for land types that hove a considerable range in slope. NAM E Anchorage sand, undulating to rolling Anchorage sand, hilly to steep Anchorage s ilt loam, nearly level Anchorage very fine sandy loam, undulating Anchorage very fine sandy loam, rolling Anchorage very fine sandy loom, hilly Anchorage very fine sandy loam, moderately steep Bodenburg s ilt loam, nearly level Bodenburg silt loom, undulating Bodenburg silt loom, rolling Bodenburg s i lt loam, hilly Bodenburg very f ine sandy loom, nearly level Bodenburg very fine sandy loom, undulating Bodenburg very fine sandy loom, rolling Bodenburg very fine sandy loom, hil ly Bodenburg very fine sandy loom, moderately steep Bodenburg and Knik s ilt looms, steep Clunie peat Cool Creek silt loom Coal Creek stony silt loom Chene s i It loom Doone silt loom, nearly level Doone silt loam, undulating Doone silt loam, rolling Doone and Knik silt looms, hilly Doone and Knlk s i It looms, moderately steep Doone and Knik silt looms, steep Flat Horn silt loam, nearly level Flat Horn silt loom, undulating Flat Horn s ilt loam, rolling Flat Horn silt loam, hilly to steep Gravelly alluvial land Grovel pits and Strip mines Homestead silt loam, nearly level Homestead silt loom, undulating Homestead silt loom, rolling Homestead silt loom, hilly Homestead silt loom, moderately steep Homestead silt loom, steep Homest ead silt loom, very shallow, nearly level Homestead silt loam, very shallow, undulating Homestead silt loom, very shallow, roll ing Homestead silt loam, very shallow, hilly Homestead silt loam, very shallow, moderately steep Homestead silt loom, very shallow, steep Jacobsen very stony silt loom, nearly level Jacobsen very stony silt loom, gently sloping Jim and Bodenburg silt looms, hilly Jim and Boden burg si It looms, steep Kalifonsky silt loom, nearly level Kolifonsky silt loom, gently to moderately sloping Kalifonsky silt loom, strongly sloping t o steep Kenai silt loom, undulating Knik silt loam, nearly level Knik silt loom, undulating Knik silt loam, rolling Knik silt loam, hilly Knik silt loom, moderately steep Knik silt loom, steep Motanusko silt loam Mixed alluvial land Moose River silt loom SYMBOL No A NaB NaC NoD NaE NpA NpB NpC NpD NpE NpF Ns Nv Re Rm Sa Sf ShA ShB Sl Sm Sn SpA SpB Su Sv SwA ToE Te Tf Tm TeA TeB ToC TeD TpB TpC TpD TpE Wo NAME Nancy silt loam, nearly level Nancy si It loom, undulating Nancy s ilt loam, rol ling Nancy silt loom, hilly Nancy silt loam, moderatel y steep Noptowne si It loom, nearly level Naptawne si It loom, undulating Noptowne si It loom, rolling Noptowne si It loam, hilly Noptowne silt loam, moderately steep Noptowne si It loom, steep Nikloson silt loom Niklason very fine sand Reedy silt loam Rough mountainous land Salomatof peat Solamotof peat, ever frozen variant Schrock silt loam, nearly level Schrock silt loam, undulating Seo c liffs Slikok mucky silt loom Slikok s tony mucky silt loom Spenord silt loom, nearly level Spenard silt loom, gently sloping Susitno silt loom Susitno very fine sand Susitna and Nikloson very f ine sands, overflow, 0 to 3 percent slopes Talkeetna silt loom, moderately steep to steep T erroce escarpments Tidal flats Tidal marsh Torpedo Lake silt loom, nearly level Torpedo Lake silt loom, gent ly slopi ng Torpedo Lake silt loam, moderately sloping Torpedo Lake si It loom, strongly sloping Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt looms, undulating Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt looms, rol li ng Torpedo Lake-Homestead s ilt looms, hi l ly Torpedo Lake-Homestead silt looms, moderately steep Wasilla s ilt loom MATAN USKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA WORKS AND STRUCTURES Highways and roads Good motor Poo r motor Trai l Highway marker, state ····j ···· Ra il roa d, single t rac k ..... 1... .. Buildings School Chu rch Mines and Quarries Pits, gravel or other Cemetery I ................ ! ================= 0 ;t--: ' ' L_J CONVENTIONAL SIGNS BOUNDARIES National or state County Proj ect a re a Land division corners . T + Reservation Land grant Small park. cemetery. airport . DRA I NAGE Streams, double-l ine Perennia l ........•...•....•..•...... ~ Int ermitten t ........................ ~::::.:=.:::-::::::=::-::·::::= Streams, single-line Perennial ......................•..... __..,.,......·-........_,__..- I nter m ittent Crossab l e with t il la ge i mplements ..................... _ .. ~-.. ___ _....... .. .....__ Not crossable w i th til lage im plements .................... . Unclass ified __ .... ---...... .... --····-- CANAL. Cana ls and ditches ..........•........ Lakes and ponds Perennia l .................•.....•.... Interm i ttent ....•...•.•.............. Wel ls, water ......................•..... o + fl ow ing Spri ng .......................•......•.... Marsh or swamp ...................... . Wet spot ...............•.•.•........... Alluvia l fan ............................• -···-... -···~ Drai nage end --·-·---·-- RELIEF Esca rpments Bedrock VVVVV VV V V 'l V V 'I 11 VV VIo'\o'y Other ,,,,,nH''''''''''''''''''''''''' Prom inent peak L a rge Small Depress ions, unclass ified £:~:;~ <> ALASKA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION SO IL SURVEY DATA Soil boundary cD and symbo l Gra vel '11> 0 0 g. Stony, very stony Rock outcrops Chert frag ments Clay spot Sand spot .·. Gumbo or sc a bby spot Made land Severe ly eroded spot Blowout, wind erosion Gu ll y Soil mop constructed 1966 by Cartographic Division, Soi l Conservation Service, USDA, from 1958 aerial photographs. Control led mosaic on uni versal t r ansverse Mercator pro jection based upon Clarke 1866 spheroi d, 1927 North American datum. MATANU SKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 1 N ! ·-0 I Mi le Sca le 1:20 000 0 5 000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 2 ® N .. ~~ ..V ~Sa 0 'h 1 Mi l e Scale 1 :20000 0 5 000 Fee t N Q; Ql -C ., ., .~ 0 -. HoD 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 3 0 N I 1 Mi l e Scale 1:20000 0 5 000 Fee t MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 4 N I oL!.._ _________ ___!'h __________ _jl Mi le Scale 1 :20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VA LLEY AREA , ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 5 N I TpB \ " HsC w \. 0 ¥2 .__ _________ ___J::_ _________ ~l Mi l e Scale 1:20000 0 ._ ___ L__ ___ L_ ___ .J__ ___ _._ __ __:5 ~000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 6 N 1 L 0 1 Mil e Scale 1 :20000 0 5000 Fee t MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 7 0 N 1 o '12 1 Mil e Scale 1:20000 L_ __________ _L __________ ~ 0 5000 Feet N I • M 0 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 SHEET NUMBER 8 0 5000 Feet ~--~----~----~----~--~ Qj Q) ..c: .. .. . : 0 ...... '- 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA 1 M il e Scale 1:20000 SHEET NUMBER 9 N 0 5 000 Fee t MATANUS KA VA LLEY A RE A, A LASKA -SHEET NUMB.ER 10 N c < < ~ u < < <I Ll Q <I > Ll <I ) <I Q; '!< .... Q) ~ ..<: ~ "' 2 ., "' <I c: ... ·o <I -. ::! (Jo ins lower left) KnB MATANUSKA J 0 1 Mil e Scale 1 :20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 11 \ ,~ J6 z \.._ .-.: } m \ ...... t-= J~ r ,~ ·f> 3 -.. !~ ~ -~ \ -Cl> Cl> (Joins upper left) ..c: V) ..._ 0 1 Mi l e Sca le 1:20000 0 5 000 Fee t -MATAN USKA VAL LEY AR EA, ALASKA -SHEET NUM BER 12 r @ ;i ......, C") 0 N N t-= I (Jo ins upper right) -..... Rm HoA 5000 Feet 1 Mil e 0 Scale 1:20000 0 cY) ..... 0 z 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 13 R. 5 E. -..... .. ·:---. 0 'h 1 Mi l e Scale 1:20000 / HsF HsF - OkF + 5000 Feet v v HsF @ N t \ MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 14 N ! 'ot ~ ... ...... ~ 0 z <( :.: (/) <( ..J <( <(. w a: <( > w MATANUSKA ..J ..J <( > <( :.: (/) :J z <( .... <( I 0 1 Mil e L_ ______________ _L ______________ ~ Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 15 N I lO c:i z Sa ~ .. w ~ ~ Sa HoB 0 'h I Mile Scale 1 :20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 16 (Joins sheet 5) N I <D " 0 2 <( ~ 1/) <( .J <( -i w a: <( > w Sa ..J ..J <( > <( ~ ~ 1/) ~tf!i ::l Q) z ..c .., <( ~ Sa I Sa 0 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 5000 F eet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 17 N I 0 1 Mi l e Sca le 1:20000 0 5000 Fe et MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA _ SHEET NUMBER 18 N ! 0 'h 1 Mi l e Scale 1:20000 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 19 N I 0 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 20 N I 0 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 21 N I z. 00 ..... 0 'h 1 Mi le Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 22 N ! 0 'h 1 Mile Scale 1 :20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 23 N I 0 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 24 N ! \ 0'---------~'12----------'1 Mile S cale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet Ill N 0 z <( :.: !/) <( .J <( <(. w a: <( >-w .J .J <( > < :.: !/) ::J z < ... < :?: Bul/erflu Lake w 0 ~ .J I Sa + E) MATANUSKA VALLEY \ \ Sa \ I I I I I 29 ·-·- 32 AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 25 @) HoB N I 2 1 22 Sa ~ Sa 28 8 ~ + + Sa Sa 8 Sa Sa • (Jo ins sheet 3 4 ) 1 Mi le Sca le 1 :20 0 00 0 5000 Feet @ N ! Sa ~ 8 Joins sheet 35) 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 26 Sa + 1 Mile Sca le 1 :20000 0 Sa Sa 19 ~0 \.::_)~ Sa - HoB HsB HsA 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 27 @ N J 0 1 Mi le Scale 1:20000 0 5 000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 28 N I. 0 1 Mil e Scale 1 :20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 29 N HsA I 0 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet N I II II II 11 HsA (Joins sheet 20) 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 30 Sa 'h 1 Mile Sc a le 1 :20000 0 l~ ··~ KnB 5000 Feet 2 < ~ • l MATANUSKA VALLE Y AREA , ALASKA SHEET NU MBER 31 N ! .... C'l 0 z 0 ~--------------------~~~---------------------~ I Mile ________ _L ________ L-______ _L ________ L_ ____ ~5~000Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 32 N I DeB N (I') ci z <{ :;: (/J <{ .J <{ -t' Ul 0: ~ > Ul .J .J ~ > ~ :;: (/J ::l z ~ f-~ ! 0 'h 1 Mil e Sc a le 1 : 2 0 000 0 I 5000 Feet .I ,; I' I 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 33 N ! 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 o 5 000 Feet ~--~--~--~--~--~ MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 34 N I 0L_.._ ________ _~._'h ________ ___J 1 Mile Sca le 1 :20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA ' ALASKA -SHEET N I Sa 0 'h 1 M il e Sca le 1:20000 o 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 36 N I 0 1 Mile Scale 1 :20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 37 N I 0 1 Mile Sca le 1:20000 0 5 000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 38 N ! HsA 0 1 Mil e Sca le 1 :20000 0 5000 Feet LUCiLE LAKE -Q) Q) ..c:: ., ., ·= ~ IX) CT) 0 2 <{ ~ (/) <{ _J <{ <i. UJ a:: <( >-UJ _J _J <( > <( ~ (/) :::J z <( ~ ::;: MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 39 N ! 15 KnA h? ~ 0 1 Mi l e Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 40 N ! 0 'h 1 Mi le Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 41 0 -------------------~~~----------------_j 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 ---------'-------___~_ ______ __,_ ______ _!_ ____ __:5~000 Feet N I 4 PALMER ·: MUNICIPAL AIRPO:RT : I I I I B~ J I I Qj ~~~========~==========9 .E ~ .Q ....... / (Joins sheet 52) 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA NUMBER 42 1 M ile Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALL EY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 43 0 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 R. 3 E. 5 000 Feet N t I MATANUSKA @ Sa N I Mr Sa ,- 0 VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -S~EET NUMBER 44 R.4W. ~~~6 Sa 1 M ile Scale 1:20000 'I + !? Sa FLAT LAKE 0 5000 Feet ~----~----~-----L----~----~ Sa 22 HsC 0 2 Ill <t 0 z <{ ~ en 5 <{ <i w a:: <{ >-w _J _J <{ > <( ~ en ::> z <( I- <( :a 0 ~ Hs E B MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 45 N Q HsE I G c# ~ '!' HsF ~ 1 Mile Sca le 1 :20000 0 5 000 Fee t MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 46 @ (Joins sheet 36 N I Ill 'I ci 2 ~ ~ <( :.:: (/) .-.,. o.t) <( .J ....,. <( Q; <i. Qj ..c: w cr ., <( ., .!: > 0 w ...... .J ..__ ..J <( > <( :.:: (/) :J 2 <( .... <( I 0 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 47 N I 0 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet N I Q; Cl> ..::: ., 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 48 1 Mile Scale 1 : 20 000 0 L co '<t ci z <{ ~ (/) <{ ..J <{ <' w Q: <{ >-w ..J ..J <{ > <{ ~ (/) :::> z <{ I- <{ ~ 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VA LLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 49 26 33 34 Tm Cl ----------- 0 1 Mi le 0 Scale 1 :20000 Cl Tm 25 Tm Tm L I M I T OF SURV EY 5000 Feet Re 0 II') ~ Q) ...c: ., .s 0 -. ..._ N N ! 1i Cll ...c: .., .., .!;: 0 ...... ....... @i'+ {) Tm (Joins sheet 60) 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 50 21_) 0 ·~.\ c!fl( c......__ . ........._ .) .> Re '\ ':-·-(-: ' r·_J . ·':>.J. ( Tm 0 \ Trn 1 Mi le Scale 1:20000 0 Tm 5000 Feet 3~ ~ 0 Ill 0 z MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 51 .~·-·--·+--·-- ./ Ga -·-.... / .~· I . "-._./. Tm 35 Tm 0'----------..Lv. _______ __Jl Mile Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Fee t (Jo in s in set, sheet 60) I (Inset, sh 59) N ® (Joins sheet 42) N I JVIA rAN v sJ{A " ~ Q; Ql ~ ... ... • !:; 0 .::::! \. '\. " " \ ) Ga \ . \. . ( \· { ') ( ~ MATANUS KA VALLE Y AREA , ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 52 1t\\]~1t BbA 22 JbF 23 • JbF Ct .. . PLUM L Y II. 0 Su Ct 0 ... ~ 27 It ::;, . ~ "' Q 0 26.· Ill 0 ~--------------------~~~--------------------1 Mil e Scale 1:20 000 o ________ .J-. ______ _L ______ __,~, ________ L_ ____ ~5 000 F eet JbF Ct ,, 1\ II /J 1/ II Ct W a ROAO I • II II II 1: • II II f . :z II " II ,... II . li t- II II II -.. (") ~ 0 z MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA. ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 53 (Joins sheet 43) Wa 0 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 ~2 Rm Tm 5 000 Feet "' .s 0 ~ N MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA _ SHEET NUMBER 54 N I >lit. \Ill. >lk< ol!1o "~' HsE b :>:" (<> >l!l! 4 oJi!,. lllto "' @ "' '*' '" z \D ..... ,_: \!/ HsE 81+ 15 HsE 0 1 Mi le Scale 1 :20000 5000 Fee t U1 U1 0 z <( ::.:: (/) :3 <( <e' w et: <( >-w _J _J <( > <( ::.:: (/) ::::> z <( f- <( ::E ~0, " 0 ~ MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA I ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 55 7 Sa ../· 1·'--· I· G '-· ~ oo I . ._!_e-.._ "'· + '\ \ \ I (Q .~ Sa (;rc \ I r/8 . . ' Sa 1 Mi l e Scale 1 :20000 0 ___ ..L_ ___ .L_ ___ .L_ ___ L_ __ 551000 Feet N I I 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA .--) Sa ~e _ . ./ · .. r#/ \ ~~~· I / 10 Sa Q,Qj-/ J CJ/ / I ( f. 1 Mil e Scale 1 :20000 SHEET NUMBER 56 0 5000 Fee t MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 57 N I Qi Ql ..c .. .. . s 0 ...... '- HsA " l{) 0 z <( y: (/) <( ...J Tf <( <(- w 10 ct: <( >-w ...J ...J <( > <( y: (/) ::::> z <( I- <( ::E R.2 W. [>.1ttA ~<r-~ 0 1 Mi l e Scale 1:20000 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 58 N I 6 . ~dl - .If -·~ -~ •\; . t" -, ~~ .r .. / L ~ 0 L-________ v.L_ _______ ...J1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 5 000 Fee t z <D ...: -.. CIO It') Gi Q) ..c .. . s 0 ..., '- Tm 4 ~\'{ v ..r.l\7 ./ ..r 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 59 R.lW. Tf so1l. 2 PALMER + Tf Tf 0 10 11 _,. Tf r R M R. 2 E. KN!K RiVER '12 1 Mile Scale 1:20000 0 (Joins sheet 49) LIMIT OF SURVEY \JG~ s~o 5000 Fee t .s 0 ..., '- N t I MATANUSKA @ ..... Tm N I L 0'------------'Y2 _________ _;1 Mil e 3 Scale 1:20000 0 '------L-----'-----..__ __ ____~. __ _:5~00.0 Fe et Tm _j 0 \0 c:i 2 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA I ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 61 @ N ! HoA 0 ---------1 Mile Scale 1:20000 o 5000 Feet N Seven mile Lake 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 62 1 Mi le I s,.,,,e 1:2 0000 0 ' / ( ( ( Sa _/ I ) Sa / ./·-.........~.-_/ \ \ ( / ( 32 5000 Feet C\1 \0 ci 2 <( ~ (/) <( ..J <( <i. w cr <( >-w ..J ..J <( > <( ~ (/) :J z ~ ~ MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 63 N I .. Sa (Joins sheet 66) 0 1 Mile Scale 1 :20000 0 5000 Feet N I .... 0 "' II II Ill&. 10 + 7 H oA + (Jo in s sheet 67) 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 64 8 H oA 1 Mile Scale 1 : :moo o 0 10 C l \ 15 ---..... ~--·-·---------· - C l 5000 Feet '<t \0 ci 2 .') ,. \. ·-·~·~ ll . ) (,_ -- Cl ~ t. __ ( ,._../ \ " ·-·-...... MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA \~ . ¥ (·~ \ ( ! \. ,.-· ·, \ . "'-·-....~.. ._/ "" ." \ 0 L-_________ Y:L 2 ________ ___J1 Mil e S cale 1:20000 SHEET NUMBER 65 N Tm 0 5000 Feet MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 66 N ! L _j 0 1 Mile Sca le 1 :20000 () 5000 Fee t I t ~~~ llct: II~ ""' II II II II II II If II ~ II II II ,, ... 112 II II I' II · u u-- 11 II II II ~ il II n II nQ u~ .u~ zu.., l.ORQ -~~ ~a II II II II II II " II II II II II II II u II II II IL II II II&.. 110 II II II II II II II II II II II II II II II II II II II II lit Ill ll::i II II II II II II II II II II II 31 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 67 HoA HoA NpD 32 HoA (Joins sheet 69) 1 Mil e 0 Scale 1 :20000 5000 Fee t ........ ClO '0 i " ..c II "' \1 .. ~ .!;; ...._ ___ ~ ....... Sa ® N t I MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA SHEET NUMBER 68 @ (Joins sheet 65) N I tO 10 0 z <t ~ (/) <t _J <t <t' w ~ 0: <t >-w ~ _J _J <t > ~ <t ~ (/) ::J z <t 1-- <( ~ / w ~~ _/ 0 1 Mi l e 0 5000 Feet Scale 1:20000 1m !o z <( ~ (/) <( ...J <( <(' w 0:: <( >-w ...J ...J <( > <( >:: (/) ::J z <( .... <( a o; "' "- 0 0 0 lO 0 0 0 0 0 C\J ...... ~ ro () (J) ~ ::E 0 z -.:t ...... .....: MATANUSKA AREA, N I I I _,.-· ) r.. 0 f { I (Sa ~ 8 NpQ N Q; Q) 4: .. .. c: ·a ...... ...__ Sa 0 MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA , ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 70 ~ ~ 1 Mile z '<t ...... Scale 1 : 2 0 000 Lake Lorra ine 0 ~ c ,.. c '< 2 <l l< u "'l:; "' ;; <l 1.1. a: <l > 1.1. ;; > <( y u: z <( 1- <( ~ 5000 Fee t MATANUSKA VALLEY AREA, ALASKA -SHEET NUMBER 71 @ N I .... ,.... 0 z <( ~ (/) <( ...J <( <(. w z Q:: <( >-w ...J ...J <( > <( ~ (/) :::> z <( 1- <( L 0 1 Mile Scale 1 :20000 0 5000 Feet @ N I susrr; IV-4 Tf z' 6 ("t) ....: L MAT AN U SKA VALLEY AR EA, A LASKA -SH EE T NUMBER 72 L IMIT .... A 0 1 Mile L-----------------~~----------------~ 'h Scale 1:20000 0 5 000 Feet (Joins inset, sheet 70) N " 0 z